Murphy and Wu locked together after opening session of 2026 World Snooker Championship final

In what is the 50th World Snooker Championship final to be played at the iconic Crucible in South Yorkshire, Murphy battled back from a slow start, winning four consecutive frames from 3-0 down to take the lead, although maiden finalist Wu crucially claimed the final frame of the afternoon to restore parity.

The two will return on Sunday evening for the second session (from 19:00BST).

Murphy - appearing in his fifth world final and aiming to reclaim the crown he won as a 22-year-old qualifier in 2005 - got in first in the opening frame but overcut a blue off its spot.

Chinese youngster Wu - who before this year had never won a match on snooker’s grandest stage - crafted a fine effort of 51, but having done the hard work, missed what was essentially frame ball red.

Coming to the table 58 points down but with 59 on, Murphy got back into the frame and later had a chance to deliver a big blow to his opponent by stealing it, but missed the yellow during his counter attempt. Much to the relief of Wu, he eventually took what was a 30-minute-plus opening frame.

Murphy looked set to level the tie in frame two as he got up to a break of 50. However, having been distracted by a disturbance in the audience in the lead-up to his shot and having to reset, he missed a green with the rest and showed frustration in doing so.

Reigning International Champion Wu would later cut in the pink to double his lead before making it 3-0 following the help of a 61 in the third. He did, though, have to wait a substantial time to confirm that scoreline as Murphy battled away for a snooker.

A frustrated Murphy was finally able to settle down just before the mid-session break as he fashioned an 85 to open his account.

The current British Open champion then kicked on after the interval, really finding his groove with efforts of 98 and 77 to level, before producing a 109 for four frames in-a-row and to turn the tables by taking the lead.

Wu - trying to become the second-youngest world snooker champion of all-time - was showing worrying signs by missing unexpected balls - but he steadied his ship in the final frame of the session, slotting home a long red off his opponent’s break-off shot before going on to compile a 65.

However, perhaps an ill-advised decision, he missed a difficult black into a middle pocket with a maximum break being a possibility. Murphy had a chance to counter with enough points still on, but couldn’t take it, and Wu eventually secured the frame to leave things nicely poised going into the evening act.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.