(17–12) in the semi-finals, coming back from a 6–2 deficit. The Grand Final: Murphy vs. Stevens
At the start of the tournament, 22-year-old Shaun Murphy was a ranked 48th in the world. He had to win two qualifying matches just to make it to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. At the time, he was so uncertain of his future in snooker that he had even considered a backup career in car sales. World Snooker Championship 2005
The 2005 World Snooker Championship is remembered as one of the most cinematic underdog stories in the sport's history, centered on the rise of a then-unheralded . The Story of "The Magician" (17–12) in the semi-finals, coming back from a
The final was a best-of-35-frame battle against the Welsh favorite . Stevens , a seasoned pro who had been a runner-up in 2000, initially took control, leading 10–6 after the first day. He had to win two qualifying matches just
Murphy’s path to the final was a "giant-killing" spree, as he defeated three former world champions: (13–8) in the second round. Steve Davis (13–4) in the quarter-finals.