Rocket misfires, Ding makes history
O’Sullivan knocked out, Chinese star through to World Championship semi.
SHEFFIELD:
Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui became the first player from his country to reach the Snooker World Championship semi-finals as he repelled a late comeback by England’s Mark Selby to run out a 13-10 winner.
The 24-year-old winner of the UK Championship and Masters but who has previously struggled in his adopted home city of Sheffield will play the surprise package of the tournament English youngster and recent China Open winner Jay Trump.
Williams to face Higgins
The other semi-final pitches two-time winner Mark Williams of Wales against Scotland’s three time champion John Higgins, who ended Ronnie ‘Rocket’ O’Sullivan’s interest in the tournament with a 13-10 victory.
Higgins had showed all his battling qualities to fight back from 7-4 down to level at 8-8 after the second session and then won four of the opening five frames of the final session despite O’Sullivan rattling in a 116 break for his sole frame success.
O’Sullivan kept his hopes alive with a break of 94 to make it 12-10 but the unflappable Higgins sealed his place in the last-four with a break of 79. O’Sullivan was graceful in defeat admitting that he had made too many errors, which not even an amateur would have made, but said that he felt better in general.
“I’m in a better place, I feel better, I feel happier, I feel better about life,” said O’Sullivan, who remains the biggest draw-card in a sport short on characters and whose tortured unpredictable personality attracts many who wouldn’t normally bother to watch.
Hendry to continue
Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry ended speculation about his future by confirming to the BBC that he intends to play on next season. The Scot hinted retirement after losing to Selby but confirmed he will continue with a tougher mindset.
“I still love playing the game,” said Hendry. “I want the chance to come back here. I’m going to play all the tournaments. There’s no point being half-hearted.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2011.
Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui became the first player from his country to reach the Snooker World Championship semi-finals as he repelled a late comeback by England’s Mark Selby to run out a 13-10 winner.
The 24-year-old winner of the UK Championship and Masters but who has previously struggled in his adopted home city of Sheffield will play the surprise package of the tournament English youngster and recent China Open winner Jay Trump.
Williams to face Higgins
The other semi-final pitches two-time winner Mark Williams of Wales against Scotland’s three time champion John Higgins, who ended Ronnie ‘Rocket’ O’Sullivan’s interest in the tournament with a 13-10 victory.
Higgins had showed all his battling qualities to fight back from 7-4 down to level at 8-8 after the second session and then won four of the opening five frames of the final session despite O’Sullivan rattling in a 116 break for his sole frame success.
O’Sullivan kept his hopes alive with a break of 94 to make it 12-10 but the unflappable Higgins sealed his place in the last-four with a break of 79. O’Sullivan was graceful in defeat admitting that he had made too many errors, which not even an amateur would have made, but said that he felt better in general.
“I’m in a better place, I feel better, I feel happier, I feel better about life,” said O’Sullivan, who remains the biggest draw-card in a sport short on characters and whose tortured unpredictable personality attracts many who wouldn’t normally bother to watch.
Hendry to continue
Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry ended speculation about his future by confirming to the BBC that he intends to play on next season. The Scot hinted retirement after losing to Selby but confirmed he will continue with a tougher mindset.
“I still love playing the game,” said Hendry. “I want the chance to come back here. I’m going to play all the tournaments. There’s no point being half-hearted.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2011.