Ding Closes In On Haining Title

Chinese ace Ding Junhui is just two wins away from his first title in 16 months having reached the semi-finals of the Haining Open.

Ding’s last trophy came at the Yixing Open, another Asian Tour event, in June last year. He now faces Jimmy Robertson on Friday morning, with the winner to meet Ricky Walden or Robert Milkins in the final to battle for the £13,500 top prize.

In the quarter-finals, world number four Ding was pushed all the way before beating Zhang Anda 4-3. Ding lost three frames in a row from 2-0 up but then made a superb break of 130 in the sixth and a 55 to win the decider.

Gloucester’s Milkins came from 2-1 down to beat Ben Woollaston 4-2, making an excellent 54 clearance to secure victory in frame six.

Walden, who will be defending his International Championship title in Daqing next week, cruised to a 4-1 win over Leo Fernandez with a top run of 67.

Sussex’s Robertson edged out Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 4-3. Breaks of 74 and 67 helped Robertson build a 3-0 lead and although his opponent recovered to 3-3, he took the decider 61-15.