Ding stops Selby, O'Sullivan soars
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 14, 2018
Ding Junhui saw off a Mark Selby fightback to edge a pulsating quarter-final clash 6-5 at the Shanghai Masters.
The Chinese number one is aiming for his third Shanghai Masters title this week. Victory would see him collect his first title since the recent birth of his baby daughter.
This was the second consecutive meeting between the pair to go down to the wire, the last being their 2018 World Grand Prix semi-final which Selby won 6-5. However, on this occasion it was the world number one who was edged out.
The players were locked together at the mid-session, with the score at 2-2. From there Ding took control of the game and fired in breaks of 101 and 98 to move 4-2 in front. They then traded frames to leave Ding on the verge of victory at 5-3.
Ding looked to have the match at his mercy in the ninth frame, before breaking down and allowing Selby to eventually deposit the final black to steal and pull within one.
The Englishman forced a decider, but it was Ding who made a telling contribution of 53 to seal a semi-final spot.
Barry Hawkins will face Ding in the last four. The Hawk defeated World Champion Mark Williams 6-4 to progress to the semis.
Ronnie O'Sullivan eased into the last four of the Shanghai Masters after a 6-2 defeat of Stuart Bingham.
The Rocket is competing in his first event of the 2018/19 campaign this week, having captured five ranking titles last season.
Bingham will now have to turn his attention to the China Championship, which begins in 11 days in Guangzhou.
It was Bingham who got off to the better start today. The 2015 World Champion snatched the opening frame on the black. However, from there O'Sullivan wrested control of proceedings. Breaks of 50 and 93 helped him to go into the mid-session 3-1 ahead.
When they returned the pair traded centuries, with the Rocket firing in a run of 111 before Bingham crafted a break of 134. O'Sullivan then reached a landmark 950 career centuries with a sublime 140 break to move one from victory at 5-2.
He then powered over the line thanks to a break of 72 in the eighth frame. Following the match the Rocket quipped that he may not be pushing too hard for 1000 centuries, despite closing within 50 of the target.
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