Shaun Murphy's 18-16 defeat of Matthew Stevens last night was based on flawless technique and an unshakeable core of self-belief that he has possessed since he was a teenager.

While Murphy pocketed a first prize of £250,000, Stevens took £125,000 as runner-up in lengthening his list of Crucible disappointments. The 27-year-old Welshman has now lost two finals and three semis here, all of them close.

But last night belonged to Murphy, who admitted afterwards that, despite his calm exterior, he had been "shaking like a leaf".

"I'm so glad I got over the line," he said. "I couldn't get away from Matthew no matter how well I played.

"People have been saying over the last two weeks that I have been looking quite calm and taking things in my stride, but if they had asked me I was shaking like a leaf."

He continued: "I hadn't played well in either of the first two sessions of the match. But I was nervous. After all, this was my first final, let alone my first final of the world championships.

"But I always knew I had the capacity to win. And I always felt it could be my day today. But Matthew played so well I just couldn't get away from him. Now I have to face up to the fact that this will change my life, because everyone who has won it tells me it has changed theirs."

Stevens was a gracious runner-up. "Shaun played fantastically well, and you can't take anything away from him. I think he deserved this success," he said. "But I know that I will win this trophy one day. People keep on about the fact I have not managed it so far, but I am only 27."