World Snooker Championship 2026 results: Wu Yize defeats Mark Allen in dramatic semi-final, Shaun Murphy beats John Higgins

“I knew I needed a good start and two centuries off the bat was good. Of course it counted for nothing because two frames later I was back where I started.

“I knew I had to go to the well again. I knew I had done it once and could do it again. I didn’t expect to win all four after the resumption but I got my chances and scored well.”

World number eight Murphy opened with sensational breaks of 132 and 127 and looked to be in his element as he stomped around the auditorium.

But his fast start was initially made to count for nothing as Higgins, who was barely afforded any table time in those frames, exhibited the resolve and superb fighting qualities that have underscored his glittering career.

Higgins, who turns 51 later this month and was hoping to become the oldest ever finalist, took a scrappy 27th frame and then crafted an 88 break.

While those contributions lacked the sparkle of Murphy’s earlier efforts they briefly restored his two-frame advantage.

Murphy’s third century break of the session reduced his arrears and, when the Scot missed a black to the right corner and also played a loose safety shot in the next frame, he was clinically punished as his opponent compiled a 78.

Higgins failed to cut a red into the left corner pocket and Murphy missed a blue into the top-right corner in the 31st frame that eventually went the way of the 2005 winner.

In a tense 32nd frame, Higgins broke down on 50 and Murphy missed a red with the rest before he secured his place in snooker’s most prestigious match.

And he will now look to join an exclusive club of six players to have won multiple world titles since the tournament’s move to South Yorkshire in 1977.