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Ding edges Liang to reach last eight at snooker worlds

Xinhua, April 23, 2017 Adjust font size:

World number four Ding Junhui overcame fellow Chinese Liang Wenbo 13-12 in a thrilling second round match at the World Snooker Championship here on Saturday.

Ding, competing in his 11th world championship, will fight for a semifinal place against five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, who ousted the 2005 winner Shaun Murphy 13-7 in the morning session.

Last year's runner-up Ding surrendered a 9-7 lead at the start of the third session, witnessing Liang compile runs of 58, 98 and 61 to win three frames in a row and take the lead for the first time at 10-9.

Ding managed to level at 10-10 but Liang, the English Open champion, edged back ahead with a run of 85, before an immediate response from Ding as he made 80 to level at 11-11.

Liang moved 12-11 before Ding regained form to make breaks of 132 and 70 and clinch victory 13-12.

"Liang played very well in the last two sessions. He made a lot of breaks and put me under pressure," Ding said. "I played well in the last few frames and found some form and concentration. I'm happy that I managed to play my best even at 12-11 down.

"I got the century first and that gave me confidence for the final frame. I have a good record in deciders and have more experience.

"I have faced Ronnie in a few tournaments, but this time I want to show my best snooker. The reason I practise is because I want to play my best snooker against my heroes. I want to see how I can do, test myself and find out how good I am."

Liang, ranked 13th in the world, was proud of his performance, adding that he backed his friend Ding to go one step further than he did in 2016.

"We played very well this match but I left a lot to do going 6-2 down (in the first session). The second session I played better. Today I feel I tried too hard, I started very very good but he played well and is very clever. I enjoyed the match.

"I got a chance, but the last frame I got a double and the position was very difficult and I couldn't play safety but I missed and Ding was calm.

"He has a chance to win the World Championship. Last year he made it to the final he still has chance. This year he has more experience and is more confident. There are lots of good players here." Enditem