Ding Junhui stunned as Ricky Walden 'scarcely able to believe' error at Shenzhen Open after huge slice of fortune
By Leon Imber
Published 29/09/2026 at 14:53 GMT+1
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TNT Sports commentator Philip Studd was in disbelief after an almighty Ricky Walden error during his Shenzhen Open second-round match against Ding Junhui. Walden upset the home crowd to win 5-4 in a thriller at the Shenzhen Bao'an Sports Centre.
‘We’ve seen very few errors like that today!’ – Ding and Walden make back-to-back mistakes
Video credit: TNT Sports
In an absurd back-and-forth clash on the showcase table, Ding surged into a two-frame lead, before Walden - the former world No. 6 - rattled off three consecutive frames, including two century breaks, to charge into a 3-2 lead.
Ding, though, responded and looked to be on his way to victory as he fired back two frames of his own to go up 4-3, within a frame of victory.
But, in an afternoon of high drama, it was Walden who had the final say. He edged a gritty eighth frame 68-63 before running home 69 unanswered points to seal a third-round meeting with Ali Carter.
And it was in the eighth frame where pure chaos unfolded with the score at 0-0.
After landing with an angle to attempt a double off the left cushion, Ding chanced his arm and went for the audacious. The red, though, came crashing off the middle right jaw and had not accounted for the cue ball sailing into his nearby pocket, owing to the backspin he applied.
"Oh dear, now that could be expensive," Studd said on commentary for TNT Sports. "He didn’t legislate for the in-off in attempting that double."
It was a huge slice of fortune for Walden and a palpable opportunity to put up some real numbers with the opening red looking inviting towards the middle right pocket after Ding's mis-step.
However, Walden botched one of the most routine pots likely to be seen in Shenzhen this week - the red feathering off the near jaw and rattling the other before gliding away.
The 2014 International Championship winner stood with his arms folded and grimaced in an disapproving appraisal of his effort.
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"Wow," Studd exclaimed. "We’ve seen very few errors like that today.
"Ricky Walden scarcely able to believe it. I’m sure Ding, who was out of his chair in a flash, can’t either."
The extraordinary two-shot exchange was an unfortunate blemish but did not subtract from the overall great quality on display from both players, with Ding certainly not disgraced by his exit.
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'Cleared the table magnificently' - Walden fights back against Ding with brilliant century
Video credit: TNT Sports
Having failed to win a tournament since the 2024 International Championship, Ding, so often credited for putting snooker on the map in China, will be hoping for a more positive upcoming campaign, and looked in fine fettle as he reached the English Open semi-finals earlier this month.
He is one of a number of high-profile names to suffer an early exit in Shenzhen. Compatriot and 2025 world champion Zhao Xintong fell at the first hurdle against Scott Donaldson, while defending champion Mark Williams also tasted defeat in his opener against Fan Zhengyi.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, meanwhile, lost 5-2 against Jiang Jun on Monday.
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