China’s snooker star Ding Junhui has claimed his 15th ranking title, defeating England’s Chris Wakelin 10-7 in the final of the World Snooker Tour (WST) International Championship. The thrilling match took place on Sunday in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, marking Ding’s first ranking title win in nearly five years.
Entering the evening session with a narrow 5-4 lead, Ding capitalized on Wakelin’s missed opportunities to extend his advantage. He seized the 10th frame with a score of 66 after Wakelin missed a black on the spot, bringing the score to 6-4. Ding continued his momentum with a break of 63, but Wakelin fought back with impressive runs of 82 and 89, narrowing the gap to 7-6 before the mid-session interval.
After the break, Ding proved unstoppable. He secured three of the next four frames with breaks of 98, 72, and 64, ultimately sealing a 10-7 victory. This win is particularly special for Ding, as it’s his first on home soil since 2017.
“Winning in China feels like a home victory,” Ding shared. “The support I get here is incredible. It’s been tough, not only for me but for the fans too. I’m glad we all made it through together.”
This victory propels Ding from 93rd to 7th in the one-year ranking list and moves him up to 8th in the world rankings.
Despite the loss, Chris Wakelin viewed his performance positively. “I got off to a great start and losing six frames on the trot was the difference,” he said. “I feel like I belong here and that I am capable of coming back and one day lifting this sort of title.”
Wakelin’s impressive run in the tournament will see him enter the world’s top 16 for the first time in his career.
Reference(s):
Ding Junhui beats Chris Wakelin to win WST International Championship
cgtn.com
