China's Ding levels at 12-12 with Selby at snooker worlds semifinals

Ding Junhui of China competes in the third session of the semifinal against Mark Selby of England during the World Snooker Championship 2017 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, Britain on April 28, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Ding Junhui captured the final two frames to level at 12-12 with defending champion Mark Selby after the third session at the semifinals of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, England, on Friday.

Selby fought back from 5-3 down in the morning to lead 9-7 after the second session. The world number one made a break of 128 to extend his lead to 10-7 before Ding hit back with a run of 95. 

Ding, who lost 18-14 in last year's final to Selby, cut his arrears in half to trail just 10-9. Selby made a break of 64 to ensure he led by two at the mid-session 11-9. 

Mark Selby of England competes in the third session of the semifinal against Ding Junhui of China during the World Snooker Championship 2017 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, Britain on April 28, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

The Chinese star pulled one back before Selby made it 12-10. Ding then made back-to-back century runs of 117 and 128 to equalize the score. 

They will meet on Saturday afternoon with the winner fighting for the title against the winner between four-time champion John Higgins and Barry Hawkins, who is appearing in the semifinals for the fourth time.