Wu Yize thought 'Wuus' were boos as Shaun Murphy says 'I hate being right' after epic World Championship final

Wu Yize paid tribute to his parents after claiming the World Championship title with an 18-17 victory over Shaun Murphy, and admitted he thought the Crucible crowd were booing him.

Murphy and Wu traded blows over four sessions, as the final went to a deciding frame for the fourth time in the history of the Crucible.

Despite passing up a big chance in the 34th frame, Wu held his nerve and picked off a stunning break of 85 to secure an 18-17 win and the World Championship for China for the second year in a row after Zhao Xintong 12 months ago.

Murphy, the 2005 champion, put in a spirited effort but fell short in the Crucible final for the fourth time.

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It is the third time Murphy and Wu have played this season, and the former said he knew his final opponent was bound for greatness.

”I'd like to be the first to congratulate Wu Yize and his family and everyone around him on being a wonderful world champion,” Murphy said.

”Congratulations. I hate being right.

"I said sometime earlier in the season, we had a great game out in China, which somehow I managed to win, and I came out afterwards and said he will be world champion one day. It's just a real shame it was today.

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”I couldn't give it any more. I couldn't have tried any harder. I've played the best shots I could play where the balls finished, and I didn't get my chance. I can't do any more than that.”

At 22, Wu’s victory made him the second-youngest winner of the event after the legendary Stephen Hendry who won the first of his seven titles at the age of 21 in 1990.

During his teenage years, Wu made the decision to leave home and move to England with his father, and he paid tribute to his parents.

”My parents are the true champions,” Wu said. ”Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side. My mum has also gone through a lot over the years. They are the source of my strength. I love them so much.”

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As Wu made progress through the tournament with his exciting brand of snooker, his legion of fans grew. But he initially thought the sound of ”Wuus” were boos.

”At the beginning, I had a misunderstanding. I thought people were booing me,” Wu said. ”But then the staff told me they were cheering me.

”I can’t thank you enough. No matter who you support, the love of snooker is mutual.”

Wu will now be able to head home to China and follow in the footsteps of Zhao as a world champion.

But celebrations were not on his mind in the immediate aftermath of his stunning success in Sheffield.

Asked what he planned to do by way of celebration, Wu said: "I just want to have a good sleep.

"Since the second session of the match I was nervous, so right now I want to go to bed."

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