China's Ding shocks O'Sullivan to reach semifinals at snooker worlds

Ding Junhui (L) plays against Ronnie O'Sullivan during the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield on Wednesday April 26, 2017. [Photo: sina.com.cn]

China's world number four Ding Junhui shocked five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-10 to reach the semifinals of the World Snooker Championship here on Wednesday. 

Ding, last year's runner-up, built a 10-6 lead after two sessions on Tuesday but O'Sullivan won three of the first four frames in the final session, including a run of 146 in the 20th frame. 

The Chinese star made an 87 to pull ahead 12-9 in the best-of-25 frames quarterfinal before O'Sullivan responded. 

Ding, competing in his 11th world championship, gave no chance to the Rockets by killing off with a 117. 

"I played great," Ding said. "I kept my form from the first frame to the last and all match I tried to put Ronnie under pressure. I don't know if he felt it, but I tried to do it. I don't have a good record against Ronnie. Every time I had chances I used to think too much about it, but this time it was quite easy."

O'Sullivan also spoke highly of Ding, "He wants to win this title so bad. Ten years on from our match at the Masters where he was in tears, he's hugging me and beating me. Last time it was me beating and hugging him. It's a decade on and he's in a great place, I wish him all the best."

Ding said, "I didn't know that the score was enough until people were clapping and I realized it was over. It was feeling good to play well every frame. Ronnie just said I look a different player, I'm looking stronger and he knows what happened. Every time I play him I'm really thankful to him, he is a top man and to be like him, you have to work hard."

Ding will fight for the final spot against world number one and defending champion Mark Selby, who eased past Marco Fu 13-3 in the day's other match. 

"Mark Selby is number one and playing well at the moment. He is always favourite to win any tournament. He has had a good season but I have met him twice in finals this season and we have both won once. This is a big game for us."