Mark Allen says Wu Yize on same 'pedestal' as Stephen Hendry and Judd Trump after Crucible thriller - 'The right man is in the final'
Published 03/05/2026 at 09:45 GMT+1
React to this story
Mark Allen said "the right man is in the final" as he paid tribute to Wu Yize on another night of extraordinary drama at the World Championship in Sheffield.
'I was so nervous' - Wu reacts after epic victory over Allen
Video credit: TNT Sports
Allen likened 22-year-old Wu to seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry and 2019 winner Judd Trump as the Chinese star reached the final.
His showdown at the Crucible with Shaun Murphy will be live on TNT Sports and HBO Max across Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4.
Northern Ireland's Allen missed some golden chances to win, including an already-infamous black, but Wu cleared with a nerveless 71 to win the deciding frame.
"I thought Wu showed his class, showed temperament beyond his years clearing up at 16-14, even the break he made at the last there," Allen said.
"He potted some awkward balls, kept good control of the cue ball and all credit to him. It is going to hurt me for a while, but I think the right man is in the final.
"The clearance he made at 16-14, there are a lot of players that would not have cleared up there under that pressure.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/05/02/image-5c2b132e-b02d-450a-81fd-a9a6764371e4-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'I just didn't handle the pressure' - Allen on missing match-ball in semi-final loss
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Twenty-two years of age, it just reminds me of what Hendry used to do at that time honestly.
"Even Judd at the same age was winning the UK Championship, and that is the sort of pedestal I would put Wu Yize on.
"I have to look at myself for a little bit with that and all credit to Wu, but yeah, that is definitely going to be a sore one."
Wu has been talked about in snooker circles for years now, but it feels like the wider public is being properly introduced to him for the first time at this tournament.
He won his first ranking event in November, the International Championship, beating the great John Higgins in the final.
Murphy and Wu have met twice this season, the Englishman winning 5-4 in the last 32 of the Xi'an Grand Prix in October, before the youngster claimed a 6-2 victory in the first round of the Masters in January.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/05/03/image-71bce3ef-e938-4770-af6a-2cc23cf692b6.jpeg)
Wu Yize celebrates his semi-final victory over Mark Allen at the Crucible on Saturday
Image credit: Getty Images
Now comes a much longer match - best-of-35 frames - on the biggest stage of all.
Wu offered sympathy to Allen after the conclusion of the semi-final on Saturday night, while looking forward to another huge two days to come in Sheffield.
"I feel I am still not recovering from the nerves. I feel sorry for Mark," Wu said.
- How slow can you go? 10 epic moments faster than Crucible's longest frame
- Inside 'extraordinary' longest-ever Crucible frame - 'Can't remember anything like this'
"I felt like I was losing the match, especially the second black in that frame. But I was able to take the opportunity.
"In the last session I made some mistakes in safety play and then towards the end I was lucky.
"I want to give my best efforts and everything I have got to try to win the World Championship."
Watch and stream the 2026 World Snooker Championship final on TNT Sports and HBO Max
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement