Wu Yize on the Brink of World Title Glory with 10-7 Final Lead Over Murphy
The Pick: Wu Yize to Win the 2026 World Championship
Back Wu Yize to lift the Betfred World Snooker Championship trophy on Monday evening. The Chinese number ten seed heads into the final session at the Crucible holding a commanding 10-7 lead over Shaun Murphy, and at this stage of a best-of-35 decider, the maths is firmly in his favour. Wu needs just eight more frames; Murphy requires eleven. At current odds, Wu represents clear value — take him now before the books tighten further once play resumes.
The Analysis: A Final Run That Has Defied Expectations
Let's be honest — very few people had Wu Yize pencilled in as a finalist when the draw was made for this 50th edition of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. Seeded tenth, he was always going to need a tough route through the field, and that is exactly what he got. Yet the 23-year-old has responded to every challenge thrown at him with a composure that has been genuinely remarkable to watch.
He opened his campaign with a clinical 10-2 demolition of Lei Peifan in the first round — a scoreline that gave the first indication of just how switched-on he was in Sheffield this year. The second round brought his sternest test on paper, a clash with former world champion Mark Selby, but Wu dispatched the seven-seed 13-11 to book his quarter-final spot. From there he dismantled Hossein Vafaei 13-8 in the last eight — Vafaei, remember, had already knocked out second seed Judd Trump and deserved enormous credit for his own run. Then came the semi-final, a nerve-shredding encounter with Mark Allen that Wu edged 17-16 in what was an absolute thriller. That frame margin tells you everything about Wu's mental strength — he has been tested, and he has not buckled.
Murphy's own journey to the final has been every bit as impressive and should not be understated. The eight-seed beat Fan Zhengyi in a tight first-round match before producing arguably the performance of the tournament when he came from behind to beat top seed Zhao Xintong 13-10 in the quarter-finals. His semi-final victory over John Higgins — a gruelling 17-15 contest — was the kind of match that drains players both physically and emotionally. Murphy has already given an enormous amount in this tournament, and that 10-7 deficit going into the final session is a mountain that even the most seasoned Crucible campaigner would find daunting.
Murphy is no stranger to finals, of course. He is a former world champion and one of the game's great competitors. If anyone can mount a comeback from three frames down with seventeen still to play, it is Shaun Murphy. But Wu's ball-striking has been consistently excellent throughout, and there is nothing in his performances this fortnight to suggest he will freeze on the biggest stage. Quite the opposite — he looks like a player who belongs here.
The Odds: Where to Back Wu Yize
| Selection | Bet365 | William Hill | Paddy Power | Betway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wu Yize to Win Final | 2/7 | 1/4 | 2/9 | 1/4 |
| Shaun Murphy to Win Final | 5/2 | 3/1 | 11/4 | 11/4 |
Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change. Always check with your bookmaker before placing a bet.
The market has Wu as a heavy favourite, and rightly so. At 2/7 with Bet365 there is not enormous value on a straight win market, but the frame handicap markets are worth exploring. If you believe Wu will close this out relatively comfortably, look at the Asian handicap or winning margin markets — a Wu Yize win by five or more frames could return better value. Equally, for those wanting a longer shot, Murphy at 5/2 with Bet365 is the best available price if you fancy the comeback.
Final Verdict
Wu Yize is 90 minutes away from becoming a first-time World Snooker Champion, and everything about his form and mental composure throughout this tournament suggests he will get the job done. Back him to win the title, and if you are looking for an each-way alternative angle, explore the frame handicap markets for slightly better returns. Wu Yize — World Champion. Back it.
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