‘Releasing the emotion now’ – Wu wraps up epic final win over Murphy
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Wu, 22, became the second-youngest World Championship winner on Monday when he beat Shaun Murphy 18-17 in an epic Crucible contest.
It was a nip-and-tuck evening session, with only one instance of a player winning successive frames – Murphy drawing level from 14-12.
However, Monday’s action started with the Magician winning five frames on the spin to overturn his 10-7 deficit following the opening two sessions on Sunday.
But Wu managed to restore his advantage by winning the final three frames of the afternoon session and the Chinese youngster has explained that seven-time champion O’Sullivan played a role in steadying the ship. ”At that time my goal was to extend the lead and I wasn’t playing really that bad, I just wasn’t focused on doing what I do best,” Wu told the Snooker Club podcast.
“I went out and tried to give myself some time to cool down. Ronnie texted me and told me to stay focused, to be calm and also to play to my strengths. I am very happy that I was able to do that.”
‘A remarkable shot’ – Wu wows crowd with dazzling pink
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It was not the first time O’Sullivan offered advice to Wu, with the pair having practised together before the 22-year-old’s success at the International Championship in November.
”He’s been helping me so much,” Wu said on Monday. ”He taught me how to handle the situation during the match, how to handle different situations on the table. It’s definitely experience I’ve learned from him, I benefit from the time I spent with him a lot.”
That time on the practice table was enough to convince O’Sullivan that Wu had what it takes to reach the top of the game.
Speaking in February at the World Grand Prix, the legendary figure said: ”I think Wu Yize is going to be world No. 1, I’d give him three years. Definitely going to be world champion very, very soon, phenomenal player.”
He added: ”I practised with him for two or three days in Hong Kong not long ago, and it’s not until you practice with someone that you can really appreciate how good they are. After day two, I was like, this kid is really special.
”I’d just love to go and see him fulfill his potential as a professional. He’s only 22. I expect him to do a lot of great things in snooker.”
Wu’s run to the final in Sheffield was hugely impressive, with his attacking approach seeing off Lei Peifan, Mark Selby, Hossein Vafaei and Mark Allen.
Monday’s victory saw him become the second Chinese winner at the Crucible, a year on from the triumph of Zhao Xintong, who also benefited from the help of O’Sullivan.
After demolishing the Rocket in the semi-finals in 2025, Zhao told TNT Sports: “I say a big thanks to Ronnie because he helped me a lot and gave me support before.
“He gives me support, sometimes we have lunch together, have food together and he tells me some things, it helped me a lot.”
Asked about his support of younger players in February, O’Sullivan said: ”If I like them, I pass knowledge on. If I don’t, they don’t get two minutes of my time. I choose the ones I feel a bit of a connection to.”
O’Sullivan reached the second round of this year’s World Championships, where he was beaten in a deciding frame by familiar foe John Higgins.
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