In an electrifying match at the World Snooker Tour (WST) International Championship in Nanjing, China’s own Ding Junhui staged a remarkable comeback to defeat compatriot Xu Si 9-6 on Saturday. The victory propels Ding into Sunday’s final, where he’ll face England’s Chris Wakelin for the coveted title.
Xu Si started the semifinal strong, dominating the first session with impressive breaks of 69, 137, and 113. Ding found himself trailing 5-3 after the initial frames, struggling to find opportunities against Xu’s sharp plays.
However, the evening session saw a rejuvenated Ding Junhui. He seized control by winning three consecutive frames, flipping the score to lead 6-5. Although Xu managed to level the match at 6-6, Ding capitalized on Xu’s missed long pot on the final green to regain the advantage at 7-6.
Ding continued to press, taking the 14th frame after Xu left a red hanging in the jaws of the top corner pocket. In the decisive 15th frame, Xu’s missed red to the top corner on a break of 29 opened the door for Ding, who crafted a run of 58 to clinch the victory.
“In the first session, Xu played really well,” Ding said after the match. “He managed century breaks with great sharpness, making the most of his chances. But in the second session, he wasn’t quite at the same level. He had many chances but lost the first three frames, which impacted his mindset.”
Looking ahead to the final against Wakelin, Ding remarked, “Any player in good form over a week can achieve great results. A higher ranking doesn’t guarantee a big win; it just means a slightly better chance. Chris Wakelin has been consistent recently, performing well in several tournaments. I don’t think much about my opponent, as many small details in a match can change the outcome.”
Despite the loss, the 26-year-old Xu Si had the best week of his career, making a maximum 147 break and knocking out top seed Judd Trump earlier in the tournament. “I was feeling good in the first session, but my focus slipped in the second, and I made more mistakes,” Xu reflected. “Overall, aside from the second session in this match, I’m pretty satisfied with my performance. Now my goal is to qualify for the Players Championship.”
Ding Junhui will now aim to capture the WST International Championship title on home soil, hoping to delight fans in Nanjing and across China.
Reference(s):
Home favorite Ding Junhui reaches WST International Championship final
cgtn.com
