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April 25, 2016

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Superb Ding on track at Crucible

DING Junhui held all the aces in his second-round tie with Judd Trump, the Chinese star leading 6-2 after yesterday’s morning session at the world champion-ships in Sheffield.

The pair split the first four frames, 2011 runner-up Trump levelling the score at 2-2 when he compiled a break of 106.

But Ding was stung into action, winning the next four to reach the break in dominant form as he closes in on a quarterfinal slot.

He made his fourth century of the tournament in the sixth frame, making 112 following Trump’s break.

For Trump there is a sense of history repeating itself, as he had to pull off a great escape to reach the second round against Ding’s compatriot Liang Wenbo after falling 3-7 behind.

Ding, who had to qualify for the Crucible after dropping out of the world’s top 16, won a record-equalling five major professional tournaments two years ago. The 29-year-old has enlisted the services of Wales’ 1979 world champion Terry Griffiths in his bid to win the sport’s premier prize.

In other action later, title favorite Ronnie O’Sullivan trails in his second-round clash with Barry Hawkins 3-5.

O’Sullivan is seeking a sixth victory at the Crucible and a first since 2013.

And England’s Kyren Wilson resumes with a stunning 7-1 first-session lead over Northern Irishman Mark Allen.

In a late Saturday finish world No. 1 Mark Selby of England repelled compatriot and qualifier Sam Baird 13-11.

World No. 59 Baird reeled off four consecutive frames to claw his way back to level at 11-11 in the late-night thriller before Selby secured the two frames required to book his quarterfinal ticket.

Selby said: “I never take anything for granted and I seem to make every match hard work for myself. In patches I felt okay, and in other parts of the game I was very poor.

“At 11-7 I thought I’d done enough to almost get over the line but then my focus went all over the place. (But) I’m still in the tournament and I’ve got a chance to improve.”

Already into the last eight were Hong Kong, China’s Marco Fu, Scottish veteran Alan McManus and former champion Mark Williams of Wales.




 

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