Wu wins stone cold Crucible classic to reach maiden world final and leave opponent Allen crushed

Wu will face Shaun Murphy - who earlier in the day ousted John Higgins in the opening semi-final - in this year’s four-session, best of 35 frames world final that takes place across Sunday and Monday at the Crucible.

Chinese youngster Wu was appearing within the famous one-table set-up for the first time, having never previously won a match on snooker's grandest stage before this year's edition.

But the number 10 seed - who made his big career breakthrough earlier this season when he won his maiden ranking title at the International Championship - got off to a brilliant start during the opening session on Thursday night, registering five half-centuries in building a 6-2 lead.

Returning the next afternoon, though, it was a very different story, as Allen pinched the first couple of frames - including one having required a snooker - before an effort of 145 (the highest break of this year’s televised stages, so far) got him to within one of his opponent.

Former world number one Allen eventually made it five in-a-row with frames either side of the mid-session interval - the latter with a run of 121 - to go in front for the first time at 7-6 up, before their ‘record-breaking’ 100-minute frame which Wu took to stop the rot and level the scores at seven each.

Having been pulled off two frames early the day before, the players resumed on Saturday morning, and it was 22-year-old Wu who made a very fast start with a break of 142 to nudge back in front.

Helped by a 56, Allen restored parity, but efforts of 76 and 121 from the youngster put him 10-8 ahead.

Back came Allen, though - runs of 85 and 99 saw him square it at 10-10, and despite another very hefty contribution from Wu with a 140 - the third 140+ break of the duel - it was the Northern Irishman who had the final say of the third session to tie proceedings up again, this time at 11-11.

Coming back a few hours later for the concluding act, Allen nicked the first frame of the session on the final black after his opponent had been well placed with a run of 50. That disappointment didn’t seem to affect Wu, though, as he took the next frame without allowing his rival to score a point.

World number 14 Allen eked ahead again - having seen his peer get in first - but once more Wu responded without relinquishing a point as he fashioned an incredible 126.

The engrossing encounter would reach its climax when they returned from their final mid-session interval, and it was a relieved Allen who went one up having earlier missed the penultimate red whilst on 57.

A fearless Wu bounced back with a run of 74 for 14-14, although Allen moved one clear again before a huge frame 30. Wu looked like levelling but missed a simple red on 58, and having previously eroded into the deficit, Allen pounced on a poor safety from his rival to construct a 45 and reach the hill at 16-14.

Former Masters and UK Champion Allen - who lost his two previous world championship semi-finals in 2009 and 2023 - carved out an opportunity to realise his dream in frame 31 but faltered on 45. A resilient Wu stepped up to complete a classy counter of 67 and keep his hopes alive.

Almost indescribable drama arose in frame 32. Wu appeared to coasting to a deciding frame, but on a break of 52 he missed a red with the rest.

Allen managed to get back into the frame and open the balls up to leave it in the balance. And after Wu perhaps played one shot too many, the 40-year-old from Antrim had a chance to get the job done, but unexpectedly missed the final red into a corner pocket.

Wu went about making a clearance but caused trouble for himself getting incorrect position on the brown that led him to going the wrong side of the blue. Electing to drop the blue in and leave frame ball pink from further than he would have liked, he failed to pot it.

Moments later, Allen chipped in a long pink into the yellow pocket and seemingly landed perfect on the black. But to everyone's shock, Allen rattled the straightforward - under normal circumstances, anyway - black, and left it over the pocket for a stunned Wu to sink who surely could not have believed it was missed.

After both contestants composed themselves, a spectator was ejected from the Crucible arena near the start of the deciding frame for making a deliberately loud disturbance.

Wu - who was at the table and perhaps unsettled by the incident - missed a tricky long red. Allen subsequently managed to make a 47 but didn't end up on a red when going into the balls.

An effort of 22 got Wu on the scoreboard, but moments later when Allen opened the door by leaving a red on, the exciting young talent grabbed the opportunity with both hands, conjuring up a match-winning effort of 71 under immense pressure.

Through to only his fourth world ranking event final, Wu has the chance to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Zhao Xintong whose heroics last year saw him crowed as the first world professional snooker champion from Asia.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.