In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, China's Ding Junhui and Zhou Yuelong have secured their places in the last 16 of the World Snooker Tour's World Open held in Yushan, Jiangxi Province.
Ding Junhui's Comeback Victory
Ding Junhui, ranked World No. 9, faced Iran's Hossein Vafaei in a hard-fought third-round match. Vafaei made an impressive start, taking an early lead of 3-2. However, Ding showcased his exceptional composure by winning three consecutive frames, including a remarkable 119 break in the third frame, to clinch the match 5-3. The enthusiastic applause from the audience highlighted Ding's steady performance and determination.
Looking ahead, Ding will take on former world champion Shaun Murphy, who made headlines by registering a maximum 147 break on the tournament's first day. Ding expressed his determination, stating, \"I had a good start in this match, and took the lead after the early frames. But I was lacking in concentration later, and committed several errors to let my opponent come back. Speaking frankly, I was not in my best form here, but I will try my best in the remaining matches.\"
Zhou Yuelong Upsets Kyren Wilson
In another exciting match, China's Zhou Yuelong overcame World No. 2 Kyren Wilson in a nail-biting 5-4 victory. Zhou began strong with two century breaks and two half-centuries, establishing a commanding 4-0 lead. However, Wilson made a dramatic comeback after the intermission, winning four consecutive frames with two century breaks and a half-century to level the match.
Despite the intense pressure, Zhou maintained his composure and secured the deciding frame, advancing to the last 16 where he will face Scotland's John Higgins. Zhou reflected on his performance, saying, \"Whether I was leading or not, I remained calm, and I was not anxious or nervous when my opponent caught up to me. Both of us played very well here, and he put a lot of pressure on me. But I waited patiently, stayed calm, and finally, I won the deciding frame.\"
Both Ding and Zhou's performances highlight the growing prominence of Chinese players in the world of snooker, bringing excitement and high-level competition to fans around the globe.
Reference(s):
Snooker: Ding edges Vafaei, Zhou upsets Wilson to advance to last 16
cgtn.com
