China’s Ding Junhui in final beating England’s Shaun Murphy in semi-final: 2012 Welsh Open
Promising Chinese cueman, the Comeback Kid, Ding Junhui did not let any pressure push him down in the semi-final encounter of 2012 Welsh Open at the Newport Centre arena in Newport.
The Wuxi potter breezed into the semi-final victory against the former World Snooker Champion, England’s Shaun Murphy by the score line of 6-2 and has hit the final berth against Ronnie O’Sullivan of Mark Selby.
The 24-year-old was under no pressure because of Murphy’s performance throughout the event. The former Masters champion played his natural game and nudged his opponent easily down in the end. The contest was scrappy at the start but it turned into Junhui’s
favour after the interval. Murphy failed to avail the chances and capitalise back into the game.
The match started with the Chinese Sensation’s impressive first scrappy frame victory followed by Murphy’s stunning 126-point break to pull level at 1-1. The star of the east snatched the overall lead again at 2-1 after he smashed a superb 91-point break.
The Magician, Murphy was under immense pressure but still he managed to lead in fourth frame with 39 points but unfortunately he broke down and the Chinese took advantage of the situation. Junhui fired a cracking clearance of 71 and swept the table in no
time to extend his lead 3-1.
In the second session of the match, the Englishman bounced back into the game with a noticeable 90 break to move within one frame up at 3-2. All his efforts to dominate the match were put down by Junhui when he replied with a couple of classy breaks of 86
and 75 to clinch the last two frames and claim the match victory and final spot.
“The past couple of years have been difficult because I have been travelling to and from China so I haven't been able to practise properly,” Ding spoke to World Snooker, “If I stay here for two or three months then I miss home and I want to go to China for
a week.”
He added, “In the last few weeks I have had my best practice for a long time and I feel my game is getting better. I'm really happy to be in the final and I played well today.”
The Jiangsu potter will next face the Rocket, Ronnie O’Sullivan or Mark Selby in the final contest of the 2012 Welsh Open at the Newport Centre arena.
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