Wu Yize became snooker’s second straight world champion from China after beating Shaun Murphy in a dramatic final-frame decider at the Crucible Theatre on Monday.

With his 18-17 victory, the 22-year-old Wu is the second-youngest winner of the worlds after Stephen Hendry at age 21 in 1990.

Wu follows in the footsteps of Zhao Xintong, who 12 months ago became the first-ever champion from Asia in a milestone moment for a game whose stronghold has always been in Britain.

“All of a sudden, the floodgates have opened,” six-time world champion Steve Davis said of China getting back-to-back winners.

“The style in which they are playing is the benchmark for the European and British players to come.”

Wu’s unlikely victory – he had never won a match at the Crucible before this year – came in the fourth final to go the distance, and the first since 2002.