A stunning long red helped Ding Junhui to take a pulsating deciding frame and beat Scotland’s Scott Donaldson 6-5 to reach the quarter-finals of the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship in York.
The pair were given a standing ovation after a sublime break of 109 from Ding got him over the line. Donaldson had the first opportunity but failed to get on an easy red after going into the pack. He played a good safety, but Ding picked out a red and composed his match winning century.
Afterwards the two players embraced at the end of an emotional run for Donaldson. The Perth cueman sadly lost his father Hector last month. He said he was inspired by him in a 6-5 win from 5-0 down against Stuart Bingham in the last round of qualifying. Donaldson then scored a tremendous 6-1 win over Mark Allen in the opening round.
China’s Ding had found himself 5-3 ahead and looked set for a more routine win, but the determined Donaldson refused to give up. Breaks of 81 and 72 forced the decider, where he just fell short.
The UK Championship has proved to be a prolific hunting ground for Ding over the years. The most recent of his three titles in the event came back in 2019 when he beat Stephen Maguire in the final. Ding was also runner-up in 2022 to Mark Allen and 2023 to Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The legendary 15-time ranking event winner now turns his attention to world number one Judd Trump, who he faces in a blockbuster quarter-final on Friday.
“He is talented and a good player. I want him to move on because what he showed in the last three frames is top class,” said 38-year-old Ding.
“I feel good about my game. I need to work on my psychology when playing. I was thinking about that a lot before the match. I need to keep thinking simple thoughts to make things happen.”
Donaldson said: “The fight was good. That is what these top guys do. When the pressure comes on and I mean really on, that is what they do. It is unbelievable. I should have gone for a red at the end. It was really risky, but you need to take these crazy risks to beat these guys. Hindsight maybe. It was a tough game, but I am proud of how I fought.”
On the other table, Zhang Anda overcame World Champion and practice partner Zhao Xintong 6-2 to make the quarter-finals for the third consecutive season.
York has proved to be a productive venue for former International Champion Zhang, who made a 147 here last year. He now progresses to face either John Higgins or Shaun Murphy in the last eight.
A break building blitz saw Zhang overpower the Crucible king today. Runs of 127, 129, 87, 69 and 73 helped him over the line this afternoon.
Zhang said: “I hope I can go even further this time. In the Triple Crown events, the broadcasting, the audience and the whole tournament team are on a different level. Everything feels more professional. The atmosphere in these venues is truly incredible.
“For the quarter-finals, I really hope to play John Higgins. He has been my idol since I was a child. In my whole career for 15 years, I’ve only played him once. I don’t know when he will retire, so I really hope I can face him a few more times while we’re still on tour together.”
Shaun Murphy rallied from 4-1 down to beat John Higgins 6-5 in a thrilling encounter at the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship to make the quarter-finals.
Having trailed for much of this encounter against 33-time ranking event winner Higgins, Masters champion Murphy describes the win as one of the best of his life.
Victory pushes the Magician within three wins of recapturing the trophy he last won in 2008 and adding a second UK crown to his resume.
Three-time UK Champion Higgins continues his recent difficulties in York, having looked set for a place in the last eight. He’s failed to reach the UK Championship quarter-finals since 2019.
The match nearly got off to the perfect start with Murphy depositing 11 reds and ten blacks, but the Magician spurned the 11th black to end his hopes of a maximum and finish his run on 81.
Higgins then took charge, with breaks of 70, 70 and 78 giving him three on the bounce for a 3-1 lead at the mid-session.
When play resumed, Higgins extended his advantage to 4-1, before Murphy replied by taking the sixth and seventh frames to remain in touch at 4-3.
A break of 74 then took Higgins a frame from victory, but in keeping with the rest of the match Murphy refused to wilt. Runs of 89 and 53 from the 2005 Crucible king forced a deciding frame at 5-5.
A tense final frame was battled out in tactical territory, with the balls finding tricky positions. It was Murphy who dominated much of it, before Higgins had his chance on the yellow. He spurned a tricky opportunity to the green pocket. Murphy pounced, cracking in a long yellow and clearing to claim victory. He now faces China’s Zhang Anda in the last eight.
“It is one of the best wins of my career. I don’t think it is an overstatement to say that. I’ve been lucky to have a great career and many memorable wins. But when you play one of the legends you have to throw everything at them,” said 43-year-old Murphy.
“I was literally stood behind certain shots thinking, what would John do? We talk about him being the best tactical player of all time, alongside Mark Selby. My way is ok, but it has lost me some games as well. It is probably about time I started something else. I have put so much work into it, I thought rather than playing the clever shot on the way home, try and think of it now.
“I hadn’t really thought that I hadn’t won this event since 2008 until Rob Walker introduced us out tonight. He made a point of saying it. I see my UK Championship trophy every day in my snooker room. It is an honour to have it. They can’t take your name off it, but it would be nice to have it on it again. The win at the Masters earlier this year reminded me I can still do it on the biggest stage.”
On the other table, Barry Hawkins put on a sensational performance to thrash qualifier Elliot Slessor 6-0 and set up a last eight clash with close friend Mark Selby.
The Hawk soared to the UK final 12 months ago, beating the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Murphy en route to the title match. He was denied a maiden Triple Crown triumph after a 10-8 defeat against Judd Trump in the final.
Today’s victory has rekindled the sort of form which took him to the precipice of glory last year. The 46-year-old enjoyed a 96 percent pot success rate in a whitewash blitz. Breaks of 94, 87 and 73 helped him to victory. Afterwards he admitted tougher tests lie ahead.
Hawkins said: “It’s a nice easy one next! It is going to be great, we are great friends, but he will be trying to rip my head off. It will be a really tough game and he looks like he is back to his best. I will need the same performance as tonight, if not better.”
Life came in the way of snooker yesterday, especially in the evening, in the form of torrential rains causing power-cuts and flooding. The latter were “enhanced” by the fact that it wasn’t just water running down the streets and filtering under the doors, it was mud, yellow and thick. What’s not to like, eh? I saw next to nothing from the evening action.
I was able to watch most of the Ding v Donaldson match despite some disturbances, but, unfortunately, I missed the end of the match. From what I saw, both players deserve a lot of credit for their performances. Reading Scott’s quotes I’m confident that he will learn from this defeat and will further improve. He’s a lovely person and a hard worker. If anything, he’s too humble.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 