Ding Junhui Stuns Mark Williams in Epic Masters Showdown, Eyes Second Crown

Ding Junhui is hopeful that his fourth victory over Mark Williams at one of snooker’s prestigious Triple Crown events will be a positive omen as he pursues a second Masters title in London. The Chinese star showcased resilience on Monday afternoon, battling back from 5-4 down to clinch a thrilling 6-5 first-round win. Notably, history has been kind to Ding whenever he overcomes the Welshman in these elite tournaments, as he has consistently advanced to the final in such instances.

Ding’s past triumphs over Williams include his journey to the 2023 UK Championship final following a narrow 6-5 quarter-final win, his progression to the 2016 World Championship final after a dominant 13-3 quarter-final success, and his run to the 2011 Masters final, which began with a 6-4 first-round victory over Williams. While he fell short in two of those finals – losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan (10-7) and Mark Selby (18-14) – Ding celebrated a landmark Masters title in 2011 with a commanding 10-4 win over Marco Fu.

In the current contest, luck played a key role in Ding’s victory. With Williams leading 5-4, Ding twice missed long reds but avoided leaving easy opportunities for his opponent. Seizing his chance after Williams failed to pot a tough red, Ding crafted a critical break of 76 to force a decider. The final frame mirrored the drama, with Ding missing a cutback red but watching the balls roll favorably. After Williams missed a long red under pressure, Ding composed a decisive 90 to seal the match and book his place in the quarter-finals, where he will face either Judd Trump or Barry Hawkins.

Reflecting on his performance, Ding acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism. “I’ve been watching videos of myself from my younger days and trying to recapture that feeling. I used to play without overthinking, just potting the balls naturally. I’m getting closer to that now,” he said. Confident and determined, Ding is aiming to recreate his 2011 Masters success at Alexandra Palace.