Masters 2025: Ding Junhui edges Mark Williams in titanic battle of former champions to move into quarter-finals

Ding Junhui came from 5-4 down to beat Mark Williams 6-5 in a thrilling first-round Masters clash at Alexandra Palace. The former champions could barely be separated but breaks of 76 and 90 got Ding over the line in sublime fashion to set up a quarter-final with either Judd Trump or Barry Hawkins. Watch and stream the Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Williams pots black one-handed to complete magnificent 136 and draw level with Ding

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ding Junhui came through a thrilling decider to beat Mark Williams 6-5 and move into the quarter-finals of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.

The former champions went toe-to-toe in an enthralling encounter that never had more than one frame in it, but it was Ding who got over the line to set up a last-eight meeting with either Judd Trump or Barry Hawkins.

Williams stole the ninth frame to move within one of victory at 5-4, but Ding showed all his class to compile breaks of 76 and 90 and reach his eighth quarter-final.

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"It was a good win, also lucky to win," Ding told Eurosport. "He [Williams] played okay, not that bad.

"He made a good clearance to go 5-4, and then I had the luck in the 10th frame to smash all the balls and he didn't get anything."

The match between two of the game’s greatest exponents was expected to produce fireworks, but it took a while to ignite.

‘Ice in his veins’ – Williams produces sublime clearance to steal crucial frame on final black

Video credit: TNT Sports

A scrappy first four frames were shared before a break of 70 in the fifth helped Williams nudge 3-2 ahead.

The Welshman, making his 27th appearance in the tournament, was then poised to open up a two-frame lead but missed a tricky red into the right middle to allow his opponent a chance to respond.

Ding grabbed it with a brilliant 64 to draw level and then took the seventh for a 4-3 lead.

A tournament-high 136 from Williams made it 4-4, before the drama intensified in the ninth frame.

Ding missed frame-ball three times, including a straightforward black off its spot with a 66-point lead, as Williams somehow stole it to close on the win and a spot in his 16th Masters quarter-final.

But Williams was left ruing a run of misfortune in the 10th frame when his opponent left the reds safe after missing two wild swipes, before Ding dug deep to produce brilliant breaks of 76 and 90 to seal his place in the next round.

Watch and stream The Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+

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