Stuart Bingham refuses to lie down as Shaun Murphy edges day one

Stuart Bingham proved he was no pushover as Shaun Murphy ended day one of the World Snooker Championship final with a narrow 9-8 advantage.

Bingham was both 3-0 and 8-4 down as Murphy twice threatened to run away with the match, but the former reeled in his opponent on both occasions to set up an enthralling second day.

The 38-year-old is the oldest Crucible final debutant since 1978, although Ray Reardon had won five titles at different venues prior to his appearance in that year's decider.

Murphy, meanwhile, is looking to mark the 10th anniversary of his solitary world crown - achieved on his own first appearance in a final - with another triumph in Sheffield.

After being pushed all the way by Judd Trump in his semi-final on Saturday, Bingham might have been forgiven for making a slow start.

Murphy swiftly took control of the encounter, registering breaks of 68 and 65 either side of punishing a missed Bingham pink in the second frame.

However, Bingham recovered well to take the fourth with the first century break of the match (105).

The two-time ranking event winner carried that momentum into the next mini-session, winning three of the four frames on offer, while Murphy had to settle for a 90 break in the sixth as the players ended the session all square.

Murphy was unforgiving when the players re-emerged for the second session, pouncing on Bingham's every mistake as he brilliantly raced into an 8-4 lead.

Bingham's slip-up on 57 in the first frame of nine proved costly, and Murphy required no invitation when further opportunities were handed to him on a plate.

Yet Bingham once again proved difficult to shake off, making a break of 76 before posting the 84th century of the tournament (123) - a new record - to pull the score back to 8-6.

Two more frame wins, either side of one for Murphy, ensured Bingham ended the day just one adrift and, on the 30th anniversary of the legendary black-ball final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis, the scores are mirrored after 17 frames.