After a gruelling fight of 24 frames, China's Ding Junhui had a 14-10 overnight lead over Alan McManus. And the Chinese was only three frames away on Saturday from becoming the first Asian to reach the final at the Crucible.
SHEFFIELD, May 1, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Ding Junhui of China celebrates after the semifinal match against Alan McManus of Scotland at the World Snooker Championship 2016 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England on April 30, 2016. Ding became the first Chinese finalist in the World Championship history after defeating Alan McManus 17-11. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
Ding had a strong start in the fourth session. Nailing this red, Ding would leave McManus with a snooker. The Scotsman, obviously felt trapped, failed to reach the right color ball and was fined 5 points for the foul.
Ding also won the first frame with runs of 31 and 29 to extend his lead to 15-10.
The next came down to a safety battle on the colours. Ding got the snooker he needed on the pink. Check out the great position of the cue ball.
McManus was unable to reach the pink and his cue ball also scratched by accident. But Ding finally left some chances for his oppnent.
McManus potted a long pink to pull one back in a frame that lasted nearly one hour.
However there was to be no fight back in the next frame, as Ding produced a formidable display of break-building. The "Star of the East" would nail a 123 clearance with style, his seventh century of the match and 12th of the tournament. Ding became the first player to make seven centuries in a single match at the Crucible. That tally also tied the record for any match, equalling Stephen Hendry’s seven tons in the 1994 UK Championship final.
SHEFFIELD, May 1, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Ding Junhui of China smiles during a press conference after the semifinal against Alan McManus of Scotland at the World Snooker Championship 2016 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England on April 30, 2016. Ding became the first Chinese finalist in the World Championship history after defeating Alan McManus 17-11. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
And McManus has no way to turn the tide. Ding soon secured victory in next frame 67-8.
The World Number 17 will meet Mark Selby in the final over 35 frames on Sunday and Monday, with a top prize of £330,000 and the famous trophy on offer.
"There were a lot of ups and downs in the match. It may be hard for the audience understand the pressure on me, but I could feel it. I played three qualifiers to reach the main draw and it's been such a long journey that I feel tired and numb sometimes. But my coach Terry Griffiths constantly reminded me to stay strong. I'm really looking forward to the final and both of us have an equal chance, but hopefully I can win it," Ding said.
World No.1 expects second world title against Ding
Also on Saturday, Hong Kong's Marco Fu continued his epic battle against 2014 champion Selby. Knotted at 8 frames apiece after the first two sessions, the duo remained even after the third at 12-12. The 38-year-old Fu managed to fight to the end, but World Number One Selby finally prevailed 17-15. The Englishman will have a chance to win his second world title when he faces Ding.
