Ding Battles Past Advani

Ding Junhui has reached his second world final of 2016, after winning two matches to make the Sangsom Six Red World Championship final in Bangkok.

The world number nine started his day off with a routine victory over compatriot Liang Wenbo. After going 1-0 down, Ding made a break of 69 and won five frames in a row to move 5-1 in front. The deficit proved to be too great for Wenbo, as Ding ran out a 7-2 winner.

His opponent in the semi-final was multiple billiards World Champion Pankaj Advani.  In a high quality affair, it was Ding who started best, making breaks of 64 and 73, as he raced to a 4-1 lead. Advani clawed his way back to 4-3, however Ding was too strong and pulled clear once more to eventually seal a 7-4 win.

“Pankaj had a few misses on long shots and positional shots, however his tactical game was brilliant so he created a lot of chances,” said Ding. “I’ll try my best to get the win, I didn’t expect to reach the final and it’s my first in the six red format, so I’m looking forward to it.”

2015 World Champion Stuart Bingham secured the other spot in tomorrow’s final.

He was paired with the only remaining Thai player Akani Songsermsawad in his last eight match. After sharing the opening four frames, it was Songsermsawad who made the first significant move, to lead 4-2. From that point on Bingham showed his class, winning five frames in a row including a 69 break in the eighth frame, as he claimed a 7-4 victory.

He then faced former Six Red World Champion Steven Maguire, who had edged out Luca Brecel 7-6 in the last eight.

It was a match that Bingham dominated. He fell a frame behind, but after that the 40-year-old played flawless snooker, making breaks of 72, 72 and 66, as he ran out a comfortable 7-1 victor.