Ding on the ropes after slow start in snooker world final

Ding Junhui faces a tough task to become the first Asian to win the World Championship after the Chinese star fell 6-2 down against Mark Selby in the first session of the final on Sunday.

Ding is the first Asian to reach the final of snooker’s showpiece event and he appeared struck by stagefright as he lost the first six frames against world number one Selby.

The 29-year-old had been in brilliant form throughout the tournament at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre and dismissed Alan McManus 17-11 in the semi-finals.

But it took a gutsy fightback in the last two frames of the session against Selby to avoid a whitewash that could have effectively ended Ding’s title bid almost before it began.

In the best-of-35 frames contest, there is always leeway for a slow start, so Ding will take heart from memories of Dennis Taylor famously winning the world title in 1985 from 8-0 behind against Steve Davis, while Ronnie O’Sullivan trailed Graeme Dott 5-0 in 2004 before winning 18-8.

For Ding’s many millions of supporters watching at home late at night in China, there must have been a feeling of letdown as their idol struggled so badly at the start.

Victory with a session to spare for Selby had until that point looked entirely feasible, with a further nine frames to be played on Sunday evening and eight on Monday afternoon.

Selby swept 4-0 in front at the mid-session interval with breaks of 91, 76 and 120.

In the one frame where he did not make a major score he arguably inflicted a greater blow on Ding, taking it from a position where he needed a snooker and a clearance.

A baffling attempt to cut in the green by Ding, when it looked an impossible shot, was the Chinese player’s downfall.

Monday could bring twin sporting celebrations for Selby’s home city of Leicester, as he bids to win a second world title and Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League leaders hope a favour from Chelsea against Tottenham brings them the trophy.

Ding showed no immediate response after an interval pep talk from 1979 world champion Terry Griffiths.

Griffiths has worked with Ding on his mental approach and the Chinese former world number one, who had to qualify for the tournament after falling out of the top 16, had been playing with a calmer demeanour over the past fortnight

Selby remained on top, pushing out his lead to 6-0 and then looking for all the world to be heading seven clear, only to jam the blue around the jaws of the yellow pocket.

Ding knocked it in and finally had a frame on the board.

His second swiftly followed thanks to breaks of 31, 35 and 41 and Ding had a foothold in the match at last.

– AFP

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