This afternoon’s clash was a straight shoot out between world number 17 Ding and world number 16 Ford. They came into the encounter knowing that the loser would no longer be in contention for a place at Alexandra Palace, with the seeding cut off a the end of the week.
The result leaves Ding in pole position to secure a return to the Masters, having missed out on qualification in the previous two seasons. Iran’s Hossein Vafaei has the best chance of pipping him, but he must at least make the semi-finals to stand a chance. Defeat for Ford ends his hopes of qualifying for the Masters for the first time.
Ding was runner-up to Mark Allen last year in York and he now finds himself just two wins away from a return to the final. Next up he faces either Mark Williams or Jamie Clarke in the last eight.
This afternoon’s match got off to a blistering start, as both players put on a break building masterclass. Consecutive runs of 126 and 110 saw Ding move 2-0 ahead. However, Ford hit back with breaks of 118 and 98 to restore parity at 2-2.
The fifth frame went the way of Ding, before a dramatic sixth. It came down to a safety battle on the final black after Ford failed to gain position on the final ball. Ding eventually fluked it to the green pocket to move 4-2 ahead. The next two frames were traded, before Ding got himself over the line with a break of 106 to wrap up the 6-3 win.
“When I got chances I went into the pack and opened the balls. I made centuries in those first two frames and I could have made more today. He also played good though,” said three-time UK Champion Ding.
“I didn’t think about the ranking points before the match. I just wanted to win the match. It can be up and down so quickly that I can’t really concentrate on the rankings before the match.
“I love to play here. I’ve always said that. I like the venue and the weather in the UK in November and December is the best for snooker. The tables are perfect and the temperature inside the venue is right for this big event.”
Trump defeated Mark Allen 10-8 in the final 12 years ago, but despite being to the final on two occasions since then he is yet to register a second UK Championship victory.
The Ace in the Pack is the form player of the season so far, having won three consecutive titles at the English Open, Wuhan Open and the Northern Ireland Open. He was ruthless in his demolition of Welshman Jones today, firing in breaks of 100, 59 and 51 along the way. Trump awaits the winner of Mark Selby against Barry Hawkins in the last eight.
The post Ding Beats Ford To Close In On Masters Spot appeared first on World Snooker.
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