In a thrilling first-round clash at the World Snooker Xi'an Grand Prix in Shaanxi Province, England's Alfie Burden edged out China's Ding Junhui with a tight 5-4 victory on Monday.
The match was intensely competitive, with both players sharing the first four frames, leading to a 2-2 draw before the first intermission. Burden surged ahead in the fifth frame, scoring an impressive 81 points to take a 3-2 lead. Not to be outdone, Ding responded with a commanding 88-0 win in the sixth frame, leveling the score and bringing the tension to a gripping decider frame.
In the ninth frame, Burden showcased his skill and determination, ultimately securing the win despite Ding's attempts to close the gap. The loss marks the end of Ding's journey in this year's Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, British snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan advanced to the second round after a flawless 5-0 win against Wang Yuchen of Hong Kong, China. Displaying his trademark dominance, the 48-year-old victor only faced minor setbacks in the third frame but quickly regained control to secure an easy victory.
O'Sullivan reflected on his performance, stating, \"I've played pretty terrible for two years, so every match is felt rubbish. I've just got to try and look at longer term to try and play my way out of it. But you just have to keep showing up and trying doing your best.\" He also expressed his enthusiasm for China, adding, \"I'm looking forward to it, the longer I can stand. All the more dinners I can have here in China should be good. I just come for dinner, the people and the culture; snooker is a bonus.\"
The first-round results also saw Mark Selby and Zhang Anda winning their matches, while Mark Williams, Judd Trump, and Chinese players Si Jiahui, Gong Chenzhi, and Lyu Haotian advanced to the third round, making the last 32.
Reference(s):
Alfie Burden defeats Ding Junhui at World Snooker Xi'an Grand Prix
cgtn.com
