Snooker: Qualifier Murphy wins World Champs

SHEFFIELD - Young English qualifier Shaun Murphy won the world snooker title today after completing a thrilling 18-16 victory over Welshman Matthew Stevens at the Crucible Theatre.


Murphy, ranked No 48 in the world, became the first qualifier to win the tournament since Terry Griffiths in 1979.


It was a second defeat in a world final for Stevens, the sixth seed, who was beaten by Mark Williams five years ago.


Murphy, 22, came back from 6-10 down overnight, winning five out of the seven frames played in the afternoon, to trail 11-12 going into the final session.


Murphy produced a 107 clearance in the opening frame of the evening to level and then made a break of 55 in frame 25 to go in front for only the second time in the match.


Stevens responded with a 95 break to level at 13-13, but Murphy claimed the next two frames to regain the lead and he maintained his two-frame advantage at 16-14.


Following some high quality snooker from both players, Stevens knocked in breaks of 124 and 52 to level at 16-16.


A run of 97 in the following frame saw Murphy edge ahead again and he clinched victory with an 83 break.


Murphy received a cheque for £250,000 ($658,070).


Result:
Shaun Murphy (England) bt 6-Matthew Stevens (Wales) 18-16 (67-30 0-98 20-103 68-55 29-65 22-65 76-34 46-56 53-58 38-70 125-0 79-6 24-105 5-86 103-9 58-68 78-22 84-11 5-64 80-60 137-0 64-57 20-88 131-1 72-35 0-95 81-4 68-37 1-83 85-35 0-124 1-71 97-0 83-28).


- REUTERS