Snooker World Championship: China's star on the rise despite losing semifinal

World
Europe

China's top player Ding Junhui lost to Mark Selby 15-17 in a thrilling semifinal's game at the Betfred World Championship held at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre on Saturday. It is the second consecutive year Ding has been beaten by the same rival.

Mark Selby, who is currently ranked world No.1, is now just one match away from winning his third World Championship title in four years and will meet John Higgins, Scotland’s four-time world champion, in the final.

Selby led with 10-7 but Ding was able to stage a remarkable comeback pulling square with 12-12 after three rounds. Selby then went 16-13 in front with breaks of 74 and 96, and Ding missed a blue which gave Selby a chance to make a match-clinching 72.

Mark Selby (L) and Ding Junhui (R) look on during their semifinal match on day fifteen of Betfred World Championship 2017 at Crucible Theatre on April 29, 2017 in Sheffield, England. / VCG Photo

“When I had my chance there I was taking a little bit longer over my shots than I normally would but I knew if I didn’t win the frame at that visit it would have got away from me,” Selby told the BBC.

“I’m disappointed to have lost when I played so well but that is sport,” said Ding, who in the quarter-finals beat five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Barry Hearn, the World Snooker Chairman said that Ronnie O’Sullivan is rapidly losing his tag as "snooker’s No.1 box office star" to Ding Junhui, the most famous pool player in China and last year’s Crucible runner-up.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn. / VCG Photo

Ding, 30 years old and currently ranked No. 4 in the world, may not have won a world championship title but is an A-List celebrity in China, often attracting TV audiences of over 100 million viewers.

Hearn insists that it is time to acknowledge Ding as "top of the pots", as the BBC labelled the latest game as the “all-time greatest” semi-final.

“Ronnie is famous. But Ding is massive in China in a way you can’t imagine until you have been there. Ding is already the No. 1 and No. 2 most famous sportsperson in China -- but he hasn’t won the world title yet,” said Hearn. “Him beating Ronnie justifies that support, he is the true superstar of the sport over there.”

“Ronnie is a massive name – but I would say Ding is the most famous snooker player in the world purely on the numbers who follow him.” He added.

Ronnie O’Sullivan hugged Ding Junhui after losing the quarter-final. / VCG Photo

Ding’s mother passed away due to cancer in January this year, which has significantly affected him, since his mother had always accompanied him during his career.

But even so, he still managed to win the Shanghai Masters for the second time over Mark Selby in September, 2016. He tearfully revealed his mother’s condition after winning that title.

Ding is thought to be getting closer to winning a world championship, with many commentators saying he will become the first Asian player to win the title.

8067km