By Luke Baker

STUART Bingham showed every bit of his grit and determination to leave himself within striking distance of Shaun Murphy heading into Monday’s climax to their World Snooker Championship final.

Murphy continually edged ahead of his opponent in Sheffield but the Basildon potter responded every time to ensure he is only one frame behind at 9-8.

Heavy scoring at the Crucible Theatre over the past fortnight has enabled 2005 world champion Murphy to dominate his opponents and he demonstrated that ability once again on Sunday – three half-century breaks helping him race into a 3-0 lead.

But Bingham, a 50-1 outsider for the title before the tournament began, has shown considerable heart to battle his way to this stage for the first time and a run of 105 was the highlight as he fought back to 4-4.

The 38-year-old could only sit and watch at the start of the evening session however as Murphy’s piston-like cue action was working to full effect, enabling him to open up an 8-4 lead, including back-to-back centuries.

Echo:

Stuart Bingham watches as title rival Shaun Murphy plays a shot

The 32-year-old was a qualifier when he shockingly won the World Championship in 2005 and he also reached the final in 2009, losing 18-9 to John Higgins.

Contrastingly, Bingham is a man that success at the Crucible Theatre has always eluded – a quarter-final appearance in 2013 his best previous display.

Victories over Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump to reach the 2015 final appear to have given the veteran confidence though and he demonstrated that at 8-4 down, reeling off three straight frames, including a 123 break, to narrow the deficit to one.

And the pair split the last two, setting up a potentially gripping session of snooker when they resume at 2pm on Monday, although Bingham will relish being the marginal underdog.

“Obviously I want to go one step further but just to get into the world final is unbelievable,” he claimed after his semi-final win over Trump.

“I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ll be the underdog again and I am just hopefully going to enjoy every second of it, win lose or draw.

“I want to win ¬that would mean everything to me¬ – but if I don’t, I don’t. The age I am, I won’t get many more chances.

“Someone like Shaun maybe has a few more finals left in him but this might be my one and only. Hopefully I can make it count.”

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