Snooker: Shaun Murphy holds narrow lead over Stuart Bingham in world final

Sheffield: Shaun Murphy held a slender 9-8 lead over Stuart Bingham at the end of Sunday`s play in the World Championship final at Sheffield`s Crucible Theatre.

Murphy, world champion in 2005 and looking to emulate snooker great Alex Higgins by winning his second global title a decade after his first, was 3-0 and 8-4 up against first-time finalist Bingham.

But Bingham fought back in this all-English contest, his break of 123 leaving him just one frame behind in this best-of-35 contest, which will be played to a finish on Monday.

Earlier, Murphy compiled breaks of 121 and 106.

This was Murphy`s third appearance in the world final, having lost to Scotland`s John Higgins in 2009, and he was quickly into his stride as he took the first three frames.

But Bingham hit back to level a 4-4 only for Murphy to surge in front again by taking four frames in a row before his opponent again showed his fighting qualities.