SNOOKER/World Championship: Qualifier Shaun Murphy showed nerves of steel to beat Matthew Stevens 18-16 and win the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield last night.
In a dramatic finale Murphy potted brilliantly in the 33rd frame to move 17-16 ahead and then won the final frame after a Stevens break had broken down.
Murphy, who had never even won a match at the Crucible before this tournament, trailed 10-6 overnight. He won three of the opening four frames of the evening session to turn a 12-11 deficit into a 14-13 advantage. He then moved 16-14 ahead before Stevens regained his composure to tie the match at 16-16.
The contrast between the performance of Murphy on the opening day of the final and when play resumed last night could not have been more diverse.
He rid himself of the nerves which appeared to affect him in the opening two sessions as the form which had seen him overwhelm John Higgins, Steve Davis and Peter Ebdon - all former world champions - had deserted him.
