Home favorite Ding Junhui defeated his English counterpart Mark Joyce 5-3 on Thursday to set up a quarterfinal match-up against Kyren Wilson at the 2017 World Snooker China Open.
Chinese Professional snooker player Ding Junhui /CFP Photo
After losing the first two frames, Ding gradually found his form and tied the score at 2-2. While Joyce took the fifth frame, Ding then took control of the match, with a lucky ball in the eighth frame helping him seal the match and a ticket to the next round.
English professional snooker player Mark Joyce /CFP Photo
"I made some mistakes at the beginning, while Mark played very well and grabbed the chance to take the lead," said Ding. "But I managed to keep my form. No matter what the score was, I played my own game."
English professional player Judd Trump /CFP Photo
Elsewhere, defending champion Judd Trump also booked safe passage to the next round, firing the third 147 break of his career in a 5-3 victory over local favorite Tian Pengfei to head into the last eight.
World No. 2 Trump nestled the last black in the top jaw to make a thrilling 147 break in the fifth frame, collecting a 30,000 pound reward in the process.
"I've had a lot of good chances recently and it was nice to make a 147 on the TV table," said the 27-year-old Briton.
Chinese Professional snooker player Tian Pengfei /CFP Photo
The obstinate Tian then fought back with breaks of 60 and 63 to close the gap to 4-3, before Trump picked up just in time to complete a run of 62 to secure the win in the eighth frame.
"(In) the next frame I potted a good ball. I then split the pack well but unfortunately the red went in. I probably would have made another century if that had not happened. After that he played well and things like that can change games, so I'm happy to get through," Trump added.
Trump will play Hossein Vafaei, who knocked out Rory McLeod, in the quarterfinal on Friday.
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