WPBSA snooker's masters contitue in Shangai. The title match pitting world number one Mark Selby against China's Ding Junhui. But players had tasted success at the event, and the winner would be the first to claim the trophy in Shanghai twice.
Ding Junhui (R) of China celebrates with his father after the final match against Mark Selby of England at the 2016 Shanghai Masters world snooker tournament in Shanghai, China, Sept. 25, 2016. Ding won 10-6 to claim the title. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)
It's a rematch of the last World Championship final which Selby won 18-14. The Leicester cueman takes the opening frame of the final, but Ding fires a break of 115, continuing his stunning form in the week, which saw him fight through the challenges from Mark Allen, Michael Holt and Stephen Maguire.
Selby, winner here in 2011, would regain his form by winning the next two frames.
Ding matches his opponents by reeling off the last five frames of the opening session, firing top runs of 59 and 75. The Chinese takes a 6-3 lead heading into the break.
As the final resumes on the night, Selby seizes the opportunity as Ding again appears to lose his form in close battles. The reigning world champion manages to hit back at the start of the session, knocking in 76, 102 and 53 to level the score at 6-6, putting the pressure back on his opponent.
Ding, however, proves stronger in the home stretch, making 97 in the 13th frame to regain control. The home favorite looks stable at the table. Breaks of 52 and 63 in the following frames hand him a 9-6 lead, only one away from the crown and 85,000 pounds prize money.
The Chinese, with his confidence much boosted though, misses to the corner, putting Selby in a position to prolong the match.
But the Englishman falters on a routine black to the middle of the table.
Ding dosen't let the chance slip away. A run of 46 exceeds the points left on the table. Even tough Selby refuses to give in and makes consecutive snookers late on, the world number one scratches.
The final ends with Ding closing out the contest 10-6, and is the the only player to have won the Shanghai Masters twice. The 29-year-old also breaks his ranking title drought by winning his first in nearly two and a half years. It's his 12th overall. Ding overcome with emotion after the match.
"Actually I didn't want to see this run end. It has been a tough week for me. I put in a lot of effort throughout the event," Ding said.
