Masters 2025: Why Ding Junhui has history on his side after beating Mark Williams; Zhao Xintong relishes return
Published 13/01/2025 at 23:36 GMT
Thoughts?
Ding Junhui will hope his fourth win over Mark Williams at one of the sport's Triple Crown events proves to be a good omen in his pursuit of a second Masters title in London. China's leading player has progressed to reach the final on the three previous occasions he has defeated the Welshman, and held his nerve on Monday afternoon in recovering from 5-4 behind to complete a 6-5 first-round win.
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Ding Junhui had plenty of luck on his side during an epic 6-5 win over Mark Williams in the first round of the Masters, but history also appears to favour the 2011 champion in his quest for glory at Alexandra Palace.
In all his matches against Williams at the sport's Triple Crown events of the World Championship, Masters and UK Championship, Ding has at least progressed to reach the final.
He reached the 2023 UK Championship final after edging Williams 6-5 in the quarter-finals, the 2016 world final after completing a 13-3 win over the Welshman in the quarter-finals and the 2011 Masters final after a 6-4 win in the first round.
While he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan (10-7) in the UK final and Mark Selby (18-14) at the Crucible, Ding enjoyed a momentous Masters final triumph (10-4) against Marco Fu at Wembley Arena 14 years ago.
It remains his solitary title victory at the Masters, but the world No. 9 will hope to enjoy a similar good fortune when he faces Judd Trump or Barry Hawkins in the quarter-finals on Friday.
With Williams leading 5-4 in a taut encounter, Ding twice failed to sink long reds, but incredibly did not leave an easy red for his opponent before producing a steely break of 76 to force the decider after Williams missed a tough red to a centre pocket.
"At 5-4 down, I missed a long red and the balls went everywhere, and I thought maybe today is done," said Ding.
"Then I saw a bit of luck. Mark didn't have an easy one. He had to take a difficult one under pressure, and when he missed I saw my chance was there. It was the same in the last frame.
"My concentration and confidence was good after the interval – I didn't think too much about winning or losing."
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A similar story unfolded in the final frame as Ding missed a cutback red, but watched the object ball come away from the pocket before Williams missed a testing long red.
Ding stepped in to compile a classy 90 to advance to the last eight for the eighth time.
"I still want to be the best I have ever been," he said. "I've been watching videos of myself when I was young, and I am trying to get that feeling back.
"I used to just pot the balls without thinking too much, just playing the shots very clearly.
"I still struggle sometimes, but I am feeling better than before."
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Williams pots black one-handed to complete magnificent 136 and draw level with Ding
Video credit: TNT Sports
Meanwhile, it was a good day for Chinese snooker as former UK champion Zhao Xintong celebrated a 4-1 win over Ehsan Heydari Nezhad in Belgium to seal a fourth straight Q Tour title victory.
Zhao has also picked up trophies in Stockholm, Manchester and Vienna playing as an amateur following his well-publicised ban for his role in a betting probe.
He will return to the main professional circuit next season.
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Zhao completes stylish victory over Walden to seal York place
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I am very happy because I have hoped for this day for a long time," said Zhao on WST.
"I knew it would be very hard to get back on to the tour, and I needed to play very well because all the players on Q Tour are really good.
"I went a long time without playing a competitive match, and I have really enjoyed being back.
"To play on the tour, I need to be winning and gain some confidence."
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