On Monday in York, China's World No. 8 Ding Junhui produced a clinical display to beat compatriot Xu Si 6-4 and advance to the last 16 of the 2025 UK Championship.
Ding set the tone with a commanding 127 break in frame one, then led 3-1 at the mid-session interval. Xu rallied to tie at 3-3, but Ding responded with a 92 clearance followed by a second century of 109 to seize control. After Xu took the ninth, Ding closed out the match in the tenth, setting up a round-of-16 clash with Scotland's Scott Donaldson.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Zhao Xintong made light work of Long Zehuang, winning 6-1. Zhao opened with a 107 break en route to a 5-0 lead, and after conceding a 60 from Long in frame six, sealed the victory with a 72. He now faces fellow Chinese mainland player Zhang Anda for a quarterfinal spot.
With two Chinese players already through and another match at stake, the tournament is shaping up as a showcase of emerging talent on the snooker circuit. Keep an eye on York this week as the UK Championship heads towards its climax.
Reference(s):
Ding beats Xu in all-Chinese clash to reach last 16 at UK Championship
cgtn.com
