Murphy knows he needs a fast start tomorrow.

There may be 10 more days of snooker to play at the World Championship, but the Shot of the Tournament award may already be decided.

Judd Trump faces disciplinary action from snooker's authorities after snubbing the press following his shock first-round exit to qualifier Rory McLeod at the Betfred World Championship.

The temperature forecast for the 257.5km race through the Qatari desert is 36 degrees Celsius.

Mark Selby swept to Crucible glory and gave Leicester a second trophy of the night to toast as he fended off Ding Junhui in the Betfred World Championship final.

Barry Hearn announced the Crucible will keep the World Championship for the next 10 years in a move that crushes Chinese hopes of snatching the event.

Ding Junhui produced a ruthless display at the Crucible to send Mark Williams packing.

"I'm just delighted to get another victory over him after 14 years - it might be 14 years before I beat him again."

Judd Trump produced a great escape to keep alive his hopes of a first World Championship snooker title.

Usain Bolt stormed to the World Championship sprint double at the World Athletics Championships when a runaway segway proved more problematic than Justin Gatlin. Four days on from riding to the rescue of his beleaguered sport in the 100 metres, the Jamaican attempted to make it four successive half-lap world crowns in Beijing.

Stuart Bingham was last night crowned world champion, beating Shaun Murphy 18-15 in the final at the Crucible Theatre.

Stuart Bingham completed an astonishing transition from journeyman to king of the Crucible as he brilliantly beat Shaun Murphy to take the Betfred World Championship title.

Mark Selby has the Crucible Curse hanging over him like charcoal clouds ready to belch out a Steel City storm as he heads into the Betfred World Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s rookie World Championship opponent fears Crucible humiliation before he even plays his first shot against the five-time winner.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and defending champion Mark Selby will tackle Crucible debutants in the first round of the Betfred World Championship.

Reanne Evans gave Ken Doherty a major fright but her bid to become the first woman to qualify for the World Championship ended in valiant defeat on Thursday.