Murphy storms back to reach final

SHAUN MURPHY produced one of the greatest ever Crucible comebacks to reach today’s Betfred World Championship final.

The Magician conjured up a sensational spell of snooker to win 13 of the last 15 frames as he recovered from 10-4 down to inflict a 17-12 semi-final defeat on Kyren Wilson. It’s the first time since Ken Doherty, the 1997 champion, in 2003 that someone has overhauled a six-frame deficit to reach the coveted final.

World No 6 Wilson has now lost in two semifinals and last year’s showcase final to Ronnie O’Sullivan in the past four years. Murphy punched the air in delight at the end of each session, much to the chagrin of Wilson. ‘It means so much to all of us,’ said Murphy.

‘ It means everything to us. We play in events all over the season. The majors are the biggest and this is the biggest of the lot.

‘It means more than anything. The fist pumps, I don’t have a problem with it and I think we need that in sport.

‘I think it’s something in snooker which we don’t have in common with other sports. I didn’t think I was disrespectful to Kyren in any way. It was celebrating my shots at my time and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.’

Murphy would join an elite list of multiple world champions if he goes on to pocket the £500,000 top prize.

Only Stephen Hendry (seven), Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, O’Sullivan ( six), John Higgins (four), John Spencer, Mark Williams, Mark Selby (three) and Alex Higgins (two) have achieved the famous feat.

Murphy, who won the world title in 2005, is bidding to end a 15-year wait between Crucible triumphs — like Mark Williams famously did when he beat Scot Higgins in the 2018 final.

Wilson, who pocketed £ 100,000, said: ‘I think the fist pumps look a bit silly, it’s not for me. Shaun’s got to do what he’s got to do to get to me, I’m not saying it did. Fair play to him he used his experience.

‘I’m having to hold myself back from throwing the microphone out the window.

‘I’m raging, I came to win the tournament. I don’t come here to reach the semi-finals.’

Meanwhile, snooker snails Mark Selby and Bingham made history as the first world semi-final to be hauled off for slow play with Selby 16-15 up.