Ding beats Xu in all-Chinese clash to reach round of 16 at UK Championship

Ding Junhui edged Chinese compatriot Xu Si 6-4 to reach the round of 16 at the UK Championship in York on Monday, highlighted by a sublime pair of centuries.

China's World No. 8 set the tone with a commanding 127 in the opening frame, but ceded the second to Xu, before regaining control to lead 3-1 at the intermission.

Xu battled back to pull level at 3-3, only for Ding to respond with a 92 and a second ton, a 109, to reclaim the initiative. Xu took the ninth frame, but Ding closed things out in the tenth to set up a last 16 meeting with Scotland's Scott Donaldson.

Elsewhere, reigning world champion Zhao Xintong made light work of Long Zehuang, triumphing 6-1. Zhao started the proceedings with a 107, on his way to a 5-0 lead.

Long's 60 in the sixth frame provided a brief reprieve, but Zhao finished with a 72 to complete the rout, setting up a meeting with compatriot Zhang Anda for a place in the quarterfinals.