Shaun Murphy battled back from four frames down to win the Duelbits Tour Championship final with a 10-7 victory over Kyren Wilson in Hull.
Wilson started the afternoon session in fine form and registered a 108 break to go 1-0 up and another stunning 111 break to put himself 4-0 to the good.
Murphy found his form with three 70-plus breaks on the bounce to bring the deficit to just one, and edged the eighth frame 67-63 to make things all square heading into the evening session.
Both players landed blows as they made it 6-6, including a marvellous 131 break for Murphy.
The Magician’s form was starting to show as he rattled off three straight frames and another ton-plus break.
Wilson replied but Murphy finished things off in style with a break of 95 for his 11th ranking title.
"He's 9-7 up, and he's one away from the title."
— ITV Snooker (@itvsnooker) April 2, 2023
Will Shaun Murphy do it?#TourChampionship #ITVSnooker @WeAreWST pic.twitter.com/UoXT9PSupM
The title made it consecutive tournament victories in the series after he won the Players Championship in February.
Murphy told ITV4: “I can’t believe it, I’m absolutely over the moon.
“My career has been a little bit up and down, should have been better but the last few months I have hit a really strong vain of form and I’m just delighted.
“I think Kyren is an absolute role model professional, does everything right on and off the table and big things are coming, there is no doubt.
“This crowd over the weekend have been absolutely phenomenal and it gives us that extra something, that extra fire.”
Wilson said: “I felt I was quite unlucky not to be 5-3 up, I had Shaun in all sorts of trouble.
“It’s been a very difficult month for me and my family, it’s great to have them with me.
“I’ve literally had no practice at all coming into the event so to achieve what I achieved is a complete bonus to get to the final.”
Afternoon session: Murphy cuts back Wilson after flying start
Shaun Murphy staged a fine rally in the first session of his Tour Championship final with Kyren Wilson, fighting back from 4-0 down to draw level at 4-4 ahead of the tonight's concluding session.
Shaun Murphy makes it look so easy at times...#TourChampionship #ITVSnooker @WeAreWST pic.twitter.com/86LN6KLRcJ
— ITV Snooker (@itvsnooker) April 2, 2023
Having knocked in six centuries in his semi-final win over Ding Junhui on Friday, Wilson began in similar fashion on Sunday afternoon, taking early control of the match as Murphy could only watch from his chair.
Yet another century (108) gave Wilson the perfect start, and he maintained his stunning form as he followed up with runs of 84, 62 and 111.
However, not for the first time this week, the mid-session interval sparked Murphy into life and he finally hit his straps when taking frame five with a break of 75.
When he added further contributions of 70 and 75 to reduce his arrears to 4-3, Murphy had already got himself back into the match, and things got even better for the former world champion.
After both players had chances to win the final frame of the session, Murphy levelled the scores thanks to a brilliant escape from a devilish snooker, one that sets the scene perfectly for this evening's grandstand finish.
