Ding opens up lead in Welsh final
Ding Junhui opened up a 5-3 lead over Mark Selby in the afternoon session of the 888 Welsh Open final in Newport.
Selby, who won the competition in 2008, started brightly but was pegged back by Ding as he moved within four frames of securing the best-of-17 contest.
Selby, who had seen off Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-final, registered two century breaks in the first three frames – worth 103 and 124 respectively – as he went 2-1 in front.
Ding missed a testing pink in the fourth frame to hand his opponent the chance to go three in front but although Selby despatched the pink he failed to follow with the black.
He left Ding with a tough shot for the frame but he made it to level the scores.
From there on Ding took control, winning three of the next four frames to make himself favourite to pick up a fifth ranking title and a £30,000 winners’ cheque.
The players were due to resume at 7pm.
