Sunday 3 May 2015 12:03, UK
Stuart Bingham faces a stiff test when he faces Shaun Murphy in the World Championship final at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield over Sunday and Monday.
Basildon cueman Bingham brilliantly held his nerve to survive a late comeback from Judd Trump and complete a fairytale run to the final where he will take on the 2005 champion.
The 38-year-old saw off Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals and followed that by demolishing stunned Trump's title hopes with a 17-16 triumph, to set up a shot at Murphy in the title match.
Murphy reached the Crucible final for the third time in his career after seeing off Barry Hawkins in double-quick time 17-9.
Murphy, nicknamed 'The Magician', defeated Matthew Stevens to lift the title as a qualifier 10 years ago. He also reached the 2009 final where John Higgins denied him the title.
The 32-year-old Harlow potter has enjoyed a successful start to the year after completing snooker's career 'Triple Crown' by landing the Masters title in January.
That followed his previous Crucible and UK Championship victories, and he also reached the German Masters final in February,
He said of his latest achievement: "It's unbelievable. Aside from winning the World Championship or the Masters, let's say, getting to the final is the best feeling in snooker.
"To have the opportunity to get your name on the trophy and even touch it, be in the same room as it, is hallowed turf for snooker players.
"It might not look like it but I'm buzzing.
"You realise the next time you walk into that arena it'll be for real and you're going to go head to head with another great player for that trophy. We've got to block it out and play some good snooker."
It's unbelievable. Aside from winning the World Championship or the Masters, let's say, getting to the final is the best feeling in snooker.
Bingham, 38, who only won his first ranking title of his career three years ago, will head into the match as the underdog, but after spending many seasons as a journeyman he will relish the opportunity of taking on Murphy in the best-of-35-frame final.
