In the Crucible era, Mark Williams holds the record for the longest gap between world title wins. Shaun Murphy could eclipse that this evening.

Alex Higgins won the second of his world titles in 1982, 10 years after his first, although the first of those came before the tournament found a permanent home in Sheffield.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Wu Yize has shown unbelievable character today. I thought he was gone when he lost the first five frames in a row this afternoon. I couldn’t see him winning a frame, but somehow he managed to get it together and play absolutely flawless snooker in the last three frames. It was incredible.

Both Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize play a swash-buckling snooker, long plotting incredible and it’s so difficult to stop.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

It has been an absolutely fantastic tournament and both players got through amazing semi-finals and I have a feeling there will be some twists coming up.

It's nerves, bottle and a bit of luck thrown in. Just because you're playing a 22-year-old in his first World Championship final doesn't mean you expect that person to fold.

You're desperate to get off to a good start. The player in front started to play worse because the finish line was getting closer, then the other player started to relax and if that continues then we have a cliffhanger.

BBC Two

Watch the concluding session of the World Championship final on BBC Two, the BBC iPlayer and on this page via the "Watch live" link.

Image source, Getty Images

Shaun Murphy won the world snooker title for the first time on 2 May, 2005.

Tony Blair was UK prime minister at the time and would win a third successive general election later that week, while George W Bush was a few months into his second term as president of the United States.

Chelsea, under the management of Jose Mourinho, won the Premier League title. Later in May, Liverpool would win a dramatic Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul.

"(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" by Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay was top of the UK singles chart, while "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" was about to be released in cinemas worldwide.

Oh, and his opponent tonight, Wu Yize, was 18 months old.

It's one of our favourite features of any big tournament - the Shot of the Championship.

John Parrott's selection will be announced later, but for now, have a look at the 10 contenders.

Which do you think deserves the accolade?

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

It's always great when you get to see the greats of the game at the Crucible Theatre and a little earlier, six-time world champion Steve Davis was in the press room, sitting to my right and having a chat to BBC Radio 5 Live's Jamie Broughton.

"What is going on in snooker is a complete transformation and China is playing a big part in that," he said.

"What is happening apart from China having a foothold in the game, which is totally deserved... we are seeing a totally different style of the game. It's very similar to golf, where you can’t just play par golf and you have to go for the pin.

"Even though you have the odd anomaly where you get a defensive frame, most of the frames now are attack, attack, attack."

Hello again.

Get comfortable, this could be an amazing night of snooker coming up.

Wu Yize leads Shaun Murphy by one frame. One will be celebrating later on, one will be heartbroken.

Image source, PA Media

It is set up absolutely perfectly for a thrilling end to the final. The last session of the 2026 World Championship starts at 19:00 BST and you do not want to miss it.

Wu Yize holds a one-frame lead over Shaun Murphy, with plenty more drama to come.

We're taking a pause now. See you at 18:45 BST.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

Wu Yize held off a Shaun Murphy fightback to ensure he will take a slender 13-12 lead into the concluding session of their World Championship final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Having watched Wu deliver a succession of big breaks to pull clear at 10-7 overnight, Murphy emphatically roared back into contention in the best-of-35-frames final on Monday afternoon.

The Englishman, who was crowned champion in 2005 and is aiming to set a new record for the longest gap between first and second titles, reeled off the first five frames on offer with breaks of 76, 52, 59 and 60.

However, he was given a huge helping hand by his 22-year-old opponent, who initially appeared to be carrying the weight of the occasion on his shoulders.

With his trademark long-potting ability conspicuous by its absence, Wu repeatedly left Murphy opportunities to capitalise.

To his credit, Wu stopped the rot in the 23rd frame of the match - crafting an important break of 64 after Murphy left a red over the right corner.

That shifted the momentum back in Wu's favour, allowing him to limit the damage.

Wu, who could become the second-youngest world champion at snooker's most famous venue, levelled the match after a contribution of 46 and then regained the lead with runs of 60 and 61 in the final frame of the session.

It means that there will only be one frame separating the finalists when they return at 19:00 BST - the first time that has happened since 2014, when Mark Selby eventually defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan 18-14.

Have a watch of what the BBC team make of that opening session to Monday's play.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

Wu found something from somewhere and he needed to as he was in big trouble, but the way he came back with the composure and resilience.

When things are going against you, you have to believe in yourself. You could see the way Wu walked out of the arena, he looked 10-feet tall.

Shaun has to believe in himself. He was almost out in the first round against Fan Zhengyi, then he did it [fought back] against John Higgins and he has to do it again tonight.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

You couldn’t write what happened there could you? I mean to lose five frames and then to get himself off the canvas there and win the last three frames, I think that shows me more than anything else in this Championship that this boy has the lot. He can give a punch, and he can certainly take one.

They were two brilliant sessions, trying to get your absolute best when you need it the most isn’t always the easiest thing to do and, to be completely honest unpredictable, because Wu Yize is unpredictable.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

I think at 10-7 down Shaun Murphy would have definitely snapped your hand off to be 12-13 behind - but not the way that the session has transpired. He will be very disappointed.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Brilliant performance from Wu Yize to get back in this final. He’s played pretty much faultless snooker in these last three frames.

A great session of snooker. Murphy wins the first five frames, Wu takes the last three. Breaks of 61 and 60 get the job done for Wu.

After five successive frames, Murphy has only picked up six points in the last three frames.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

It’s amazing how the mind alters how you play on the table. With the first five frames Wu Yize didn’t look like he could pot a long ball or score when he got in. Now, he’s got that confidence back, that freedom of thinking, and the game is now easy again.

Wu gets to 61 but when potting the blue there is not a pot on a red. Murphy 5-61 behind, 56 behind, 67 on the table. This session's not done yet.

Wu is in a good position to make it three in a row. Any questions about his temperament have been answered. Can he wrap up a third successive frame?