Zhang Anda of China hits a shot in the round of 16 match against Stuart Bingham of England at the UK Championship in York, England, November 28, 2024. /CFP
Zhang Anda of China defeated Stuart Bingham of England 6-5 after coming back from a 5-1 deficit at the UK Championship in York, England, on Thursday, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Bingham was in an excellent form as the match began, clinching the first frame with a century break of 101 points and then doubling his lead by winning the second 67-46. Though Zhang cut one frame back 68-20, his opponent seemed unstoppable by claiming another three straight including adding another century of 105 in the fourth frame.
Facing the desperation of trailing 5-1, Zhang bounced back with a sharp counterstrike. He took all four of the following frames and contributed a break of 108 in the 10th, tying the battle 5-5.
Zhang continued his solid performance in the decider as the momentum was in his favor. He sealed the deal 73-29 in the 11th frame and his place in the last eight. His next opponent will be World No. 1 Judd Trump of England.
Trump knocked out John Higgins of Scotland 6-5 in another close contest on the same day. The two tied each other 2-2 but neither got a break of over 40 points in the first four frames. Trump found his rhythm first with a century of 111 after the interval and led 3-2 in the match.
Nonetheless, Trump went in off in the sixth frame and Higgins exploited that error of his opponent to clinch two frames in a row, including producing a break of 106 in the seventh, before coming back to top 4-3.
Trump soon gained his advantage back with breaks of 69 and 75, but Higgins forced a decider after claiming the 10th frame 73-11.
Higgins began the final frame with a 34-0 lead, but laid up off the back cushion which left a red in the middle. Trump didn't let the opportunity go and ended the match with a break of 111.