Higgins and Murphy level at 8-8 as 2026 World Snooker Championship semi-final reaches second session
After a session defined by high breaks and tactical exchanges, the match between John Higgins and Shaun Murphy is tied at 8-8 ahead of the third session.
The 2026 World Snooker Championship semi-final between John Higgins and Shaun Murphy concluded the second session at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield with the score level at 8-8. The match, structured as a best-of-33-frames encounter, will resume on Friday at 19:00 BST with eight frames remaining in the third of four sessions.
Higgins, a four-time world champion who will turn 51 on 18 May, initially took the lead with a break of 72 in the opening frame. He capitalised on a missed black by Murphy to establish an early advantage before the Englishman, seeking his second Crucible crown after a 21-year wait, delivered an 88 break to win two of the next three frames and draw level at 6-6.
The Scot regained the lead with an 86 break following a long red, but Murphy restored parity in the 15th frame after Higgins missed a tricky red with the rest down the left cushion. The session ended with the score tied, setting the stage for a decisive final day of play.
In a separate semi-final, China's Wu Yize holds a 6-2 lead against Mark Allen. That match is scheduled to get under way at 14:30 BST on Friday, providing further context to the day's competitive schedule at the venue.
The tournament continues to showcase the depth of the sport, with Higgins' last world title victory occurring in 2011 and Murphy previously winning the title in 2005. The outcome of this semi-final will determine one of the two finalists for the world championship.
