Ding Junhui is taking on Alan McManus in the first session of their best of 33 semifinals of Snooker World Championship in England. The Chinese was playing in his second Crucible semi, having lost the other to Judd Trump in 2011, and aiming to become the first Asian to reach the world final.

Ding dropped out of the top 16 before the tournament and had to win three qualifying matches just to make it to the final stages. But the 29-year-old has grown in confidence as the event has progressed and looks in superb form.

Ding was stellar in the first five frames, firing breaks of 100, 84, 131, 62 and 100 to go in front 5-0. McManus meanwhile, struggled to contain his opponent. The 45-year-old McManus played brilliantly to beat John Higgins to become the oldest Crucible semifinalist since 1985. And the Scot gained a foothold in the match by taking the next two frames with a top run of 46.

But Ding finished the session in style with a 128 to secure a four frame overnight lead. He now needs 11 of the last 25 frames to book a place in the final.