Ding, Xiao set up historic final
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 22, 2013
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Ding Junhui will face Xiao Guodong in the first ever world ranking final between two Chinese players at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday. |
Ding Junhui will take on Xiao Guodong in the first ever world ranking final between two Chinese players at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
China's top player Ding saw off Barry Hawkins 6-2 to set up a best-of-19 clash with Xiao, with the winner to receive ￡80,000. The 26-year-old is looking to win the seventh ranking event of his career.
Ding took the first two frames against Hawkins and, although the Kent left-hander easily claimed the third, 2-1 soon became 4-1.
A run of 90 saw Hawkins pull one frame back, but Ding's 68 made it 5-2 and he got the better of a scrappy eighth frame to secure victory.
"I'm happy to be in the final as it's not often I play to such a good level at tournaments held in China," said Ding. "I'm happy with my performance and looking forward to tomorrow's competition."
Xiao earlier beat Englishman Michael Holt 6-3 as both men made their first appearances in a ranking semi-final.
