UKChampionship2023Final

[Music] [Music] his victory here as a teenager in 2005 sparked a generation of players and fans back home revered in China at admired worldwide Ander the dragon ding Jang [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] way and his opponent there's never been anybody as talented there's never been anyone who has won more and yet here he is on the verge of an eighth UK Crown 30 years after his first the greatest player in history BL and you'll miss him the rocket Rono [Applause] [Music] Sullivan what a week it's all come down to this so great to have you with us all over the world and it's good afternoon to our commentary team of Dominic Dale and first up Philip [Applause] stud what an atmosphere it's a red letter day two Global snooker Superstars ready to go toe to- toe once again for one of the sports most coveted prizes the final of the UK Championship they've already bagged this trophy 10 times between them who is going to Prevail today over the best of nine team frames the mutual respect is extremely evident from everything they've said in the buildup to this show piece and we're ready to go it's 8 frames this afternoon a possible 11 this evening Rono Sullivan looking to better his own record and win an eighth title ding Jung Wei run up last year a fourth okay D thank you the first round ding your we to break three times Champion ding Jun we to get us under way one of the biggest days on the snooker calendar Dominic yes indeed good afternoon everybody really looking forward to this final here York Baran the final of the 2023 UK championships the respective form of both of these players suggest a very close intense final what a great start from Rono Sullivan first look at a long red and it goes beautifully on the black to develop The Two Reds just next to the black Sullivan has described his overall performances this week is patchy but his long game has been very consistent throughout a return of nearly three out of four 73% for the tournament that is excellent and he's been able to be clinical in the key moments sting Wei has had to battle through a number of rounds he's shown real resilience and determination Sullivan in particular yesterday ruthless in punishing hosse is potting mistakes after the interval from two all as he won four straight frames to set up this final nine only once has he been defeated in the UK championship title match Mark Selby 2016 107 14 left himself a bit of a tester here Ronnie because he cannoned into a red they tried to avoid and we saw Jud Trump yesterday in that 10th Frame I think it was Mr red very similar to this because it just graay the near jaw Ron solivan 14 always looked just a little while so great long red not amounting to much for O Sullivan with his first visit o salivan has a very handsome lead in the overall head-to-head he's won 19 of their 24 matches but the victories that Ding has had over o salivan have been very significant not least last season here in the quarter finals when he whitewashed Rono Sullivan it's their sixth meeting in a final Sullivan won four of the five three four finished a little straighter on this black than he would have liked I have to power this black in for position so often is the case when you have to play a shot with excessive Pace like that it's difficult to control the Q ball perfectly don't think he's on the red to the right of the Q Ball but there may be a possible Red Pass of brown but that doesn't go either you can see the Pink's just in the way R 11 amazing to think that Ding rocked up here on the first Saturday of the UK champion ship and seriously considered pulling out he had dizzy spells he had a temperature on the Saturday morning he said he was struggling to get out of bed he thought to himself well I'll give it a go because he loves this tournament 4-2 down against Mark Allen the man who deprived him of a fourth title in the final last year turned that around and the rest is history what a week he's had he's just beaten the player of the Season J Trump came through an epic against Mark Williams from one down with two to play so he has thoroughly earned his place in this title match what a scene every seat taken wonderful atmosphere and a great week of snooker which promises a terrific climax another good red from distance from O Sullivan to get back in yes undoubtedly Ronnie seems to have settled quicker than ding couple of position errors though meant that he hasn't made the framing break he was intending to but with the Reds in wonderful possible positions as they are here maybe he can go on to secure the first frame from this effort five considering the overwhelming head-to-head Advantage Sullivan had coming into this I think he would be it's fair to say he would be happier playing ding than Jud Trump 12 ding went a full decade without beating O Sullivan which amounted to seven straight losses but of course he put that right in a big way at the world championship 2017 1310 in the quarterfinals nice recovery award black 20 [Applause] 21 with the key ball so close to the object ball there Ronnie could quite control the degree of Back Spin on the Q ball I think the key Ball's finished on the black spot it has 28 the red long the top cushion is a thin cut and is easily missed there is an alternative red to the right center though 29 just one more red in color Rono Sullivan a good going to be on the blue yes ding could still tie the frame with this blue so Sullivan just thinking about position on what will be frame ball red it's been a pretty solid start already a couple of ey catching long pots from o salivan 43 youngest ever winner of this title 30 years ago could today become the oldest winner celebrates his 48th birthday on Tuesday 50 51 58 59 D yet yet to pot a ball and Rono Sullivan will be Keen to keep it that way doesn't want to allow ding an opportunity to come to to the table to get a feel of conditions 64 [Applause] 65 71 Ronan 71 on a break of 71 from Rono Sullivan who has monopolized the table in the opening frame of the UK Championship final the rocket is off from running he leads dingon Wei 1- nil running Sol to break our referee for the final Rob Spencer calling this capacity crowd to order big day for Rob this is his first Triple Crown final W brilliant superbly queued from ding yeah fantastic pot this one ding I can only presume the red next to the black wasn't available otherwise he couldn't have taken that risk there you can see it is tied up but the black still does go I've often sto the virtues of things extraordinary good positional play the Q ball and object ball are never too far apart from one another and dings at the table that's why he such a great great Builder Sullivan told Rachel ahead of this final he thought ding was the best break Builder he's ever seen that's the ultimate compliment from the man who's made in excess of 12200 centuries in his thanks D record-breaking career I think ding's intention there was to just be a touch low on the black to just nudge this red into play that's something he can do [Applause] here 16 I think there might have been a time when ding was intimidated by playing o salivan and he wouldn't be the only player in that boat but these days I think he actually sees it as a challenge that he wants to embrace he said this week but he wants to play the best because that makes him better [Applause] 22 and he has won both of the previous UK Championship meetings both Ding and Ronnie have had the odd scare along the way before reaching this final today St particularly ding in his quarterfinal match with Mark Williams had to Rally from 54 down R had a real scare against gluster Robert milkins who had some wonderful opportunities in their deciding frame but just couldn't quite manage it Ronnie did get the BET of him in the end yes in the case of ding the Williams victory was especially significant I think remember he was on the wrong end of that record-breaking frame which relieved you of a record Dom 195 points in the single frame 194 ding lost it and that could really have done his head in but of course he turned it around from 45 down yes it was a 62 and a half half minute frame pretty much and ding was a few points behind on the colors ler snooker got a lot of penalty points and in the end it looked like frame he couldn't lose but he did and it did affect him I think pretty much because he lost the next frame as well and went 5-4 down as a result 31 but it was that comeback win that secured his place in the Masters having dropped out of the top 16 because of Jang Ander winning The International Championship and that pushed him into the qualif but as we know ding seems to be inspired when he gets that kind of wake up call 38 when he made the world Final in 2016 he had to come through qualifying to get to The Crucible 39 46 yeah salvin's turn to warm his seat brilliant opening red from ding to set up this chance to hit straight back I think the point is that although ding has drifted in and out of form over the last few years that seems to be irrelevant when he arrives at the barin he seems to save his very best snooker for this venue he's obviously very comfortable here enjoys a lot of support here quite apart from the tens of millions cheering your arm back home 47 very noticeable that they were very vocal for ding last night of course Jud Trump has his own Legion of fans for the way he plays the game but there was plenty of cheering when ding got over the line last night 54 55 D would like to play for the red closest to the black here in the opposite corner at the perfect angle on the black run through for it but he's just a little shorter Pace 60 still need a couple of Reds and colors to secure this first frame for ding that is to level this match up at one all 63 it always looked as though it was traveling to the far jaw so on the CP of clinching the frame it was just a red away after that think from doing it he's left the chance of a counter for oal yes just shoved it didn't he just to the top jaw and that probably was a psychological error more than anything else and if Ronnie could capitalize on that error and somehow steal this Frame wow what a body blow that would be for ding that could really affect him ding has to be said will be just pinning his hopes on that awkward red near the left hand side cushion here could be his only hope seven this is where salivan was so effective yesterday against V you had plenty of chances after the interval having got back to two all from 2-0 behind Mr a couple of Reds Mr Black and each time O Sullivan was able to step in and punish that was the difference really 14 15 22 difficult moments for the three times Champion 23 Ronnie could try to leave an angle on the red here below the Pink Spot to bring the other one into play the all sorts of ways of tackling that difficult red he produced a brilliant Cannon to a red glued to the left side cushion yesterday which won him the frame after the fire had missed 31 this time not the connection he was looking for that could have been a little worse though for Ronnie can still pop the blue and perhaps leave a double on the red 36 in all the [Applause] way and now now one good positional shot away from what could be a very significant early steal for o salivan 44 just wonder how tricky that pink could prove to be it's a fairly acute angle into the right center but there's plenty of space around around it to play for left Center or left corner 49 53 beautifully on the blue he could play for the pink here into the right center as long as he doesn't leave himself too straight on it 58 64 John Higgins es from o salvin that is a big steal that is a very big moment early in the UK final dingjun way made 63 and looked as though he was leveling at one Sullivan stepped in with 71 lovely break of 63 on the cusp of clinching the frame he missed the pink and as Sullivan stepped in with a cool clearance and this is an early test of ding's resilience he's certainly shown plenty of it to get to this final but that will sting and the best way of recovering is to come up with something frame winning straight away in this third frame banish the memory of the frame he should have won and he's got the chance to get back [Music] in w he's been prolific all week 11 centuries coming into this final to Sullivan's four eight D looking closely at the red but as you can see from that camera angle it goes quite clearly n not easy to maintain position on the black here from the angle he has on this red may need just a little bit of Fortune sevening Fortune like that 24 25 ding began his love affair with this UK Championship when he was just 18 years of age 2005 defeating a rejuvenated Steve Davis in the final the barin 31 two more titles here since then very nearly a third make it a fourth last year when he led 6-1 against Mark Allen and ended up winning just one more frame but of course he Avenged that loss in the first round from 4-2 behind and he's never looked back as close as it can be in a straight line without touching that red given there's no space on its own spot 38 he was up very quickly he knew he'd overcut that black 38 wow Phil that's an amazing Miss isn't it he's just not psychologic psychologically settled and I think it's as a result of that incredible the most impressive clearance Ronnie made to steal that second frame it's just rather shocked ding I think he was so surprised himself at missing the pink and he's very very concerned how well Rono Copan started this match it pots like [Applause] that that was a terrific opening rad wasn't was N Easy he made it look so that pace at that angle eight these great players the true greats of the game they identify weakness and they pounce on it and ding has already made two very significant errors early in this UK final salivan looking to repeat the dose from frame two 16 17 one is looking so so settled you can see the Tor after his shot times there O Sullivan 18 seconds Rob milkins 19 which is pretty normal for him oh that's worked out nicely promoted the red to the left Center there's only a couple of slightly awkward Reds here that could prevent Ronnie from winning the third frame in session 25 30 31 37 38 you will need all four of the Reds that remain the three that remain now two of them in slightly awkward spots 45 46 well this red to the right hand center pocket is thinner than it may appear 54 and the angle on the blue here isn't perfect he's going to have to power this in so maybe just a glimmer here for ding J because this red is tricky 19 out of 22 for the tournament with the rest Rono Sullivan this is a big one oh right in the middle and that little nudge on the blue hasn't [Applause] hurt he's a very painful moments for ding Jong we he's had guilt EDG chances 6 to lead this final 21 66 instead he's going to be 3-0 a drift already this match has only been going 33 and a half minutes 69 but how sharp does Rono Sullivan look it feels as though he's got better with each round clinical in the second half yesterday against fight clinical again today 78 his record in the Triple Crowns is unsurpassed and he looks in the mood to further embellish it another brilliantly brutal clearance from Rono Sullivan 91 one this time dingin we Mr Black off its spot and he's been punished again as Sullivan furthers his lead three frames to nil Ron to half the deficit but Sullivan quite Sublime in the early running I mentioned this is their sixth meeting in a major final Sullivan having won four out of five and all four of those were won emphatically he has a habit of saving his best for ding on the biggest stage Masters 103 2007 the old Premier League final 71 2011 an amazing performance in 2014 in the wsh open Final when know salivan made a maximum break to Win It potting the final black left-handed and most recently the world Grand Prix final 2018 which he won for the loss of only three frames ding's Triumph came way back in 2006 the old Northern Ireland open trophy by N9 frames to six ding could attempt this red if he wished but I think his confidence has been severely knocked by the two straightforward misses in frames two and three CH thank you thanks thank you one positive for ding regardless of the outcome in today's Final is of course that he's back in the top 16 for the Masters having slipped out of the 16 ahead of this tournament secured his spot courtesy of his went over Williams in the quarters that's a really good pop once again he's actually played some lovely snooker in this final he's just paid a very heavy price for two errors that he has made yes and had it not been for those two errors who knows D could have been quite comfortably two one up himself here the red just above the black would pot but it's not straightforward to get on to so I wouldn't be surprised to see ling ding rather leave an angle here on blue or bolk color to go into the pack of Reds no guarantee they'll split well though [Applause] s just didn't get into the meat of the Reds there disappointment again for ding D Sullivan has been relatively inactive this season he's missed four ranking tournaments and pulled out of the champion to Champions recently but when he has turned up for the ranking events he's got plenty of points mistake from O Sullivan but no damage done guaranteed to maintain his world number one ranking with the demise of trump last evening Rono Sullivan and going for his 40th ranking title and his first since he won his record equaling seventh World title but that was a mistake no damage for it's quite a useful safety that from Ronnie in many ways because it's not easy for ding to get the CQ ball back to bulk here and play an effective safety Sullivan winning the first three frames in barely 35 minutes a real shock to the system for ding he'll be thinking that he should have won two of them one of snooker's great occasions [Applause] very well controlled from r playing that with right hand side I was very surprised didn't got down to play that so quickly it should have been obvious that red would go towards that right corner it would have been left on had it not been for the cannon from Cubo to Yellow for and although that red will pop for ding into the right corner it's very awkward because Cub's only an inch or so off that bulk cushion and even if he does pot the red think the KE be running into the top of the main bunch very tough rad the double kiss and he's left it for o salivan o salivan made a mistake earlier in this Frame everything ran safe ding has made one the seven times champ is back in so far he's been deadly seven eight I think most professional players would tell you that if you do miss the boat if you don't take your opportunities you do tend to suffer a poor run of the ball afterwards whether it's true I don't know but does seem that way equally the player on top 50 always seems to get the old nudge here and there just to make life even more difficult for their opponent 23 24 well this is a key shot for Ronnie into the Reds how they split well not too well the red that's closest to the left Center is a very thin cut back there is a red that will also cut into the left Center just to the left of the CUO but it's a very acute angle don't think it's there Ron or suan 31 on one of the tables from 20 odd years ago that would have dropped but there is virtually no nap at all on these super fine modern cloths and it did not deviate from its path well so ding gets another opportunity to minimize the dam the damage of this first mini session of the final as we see that red again that was an excellent Blue from ding could not have felt particularly confident in playing it with the shots he's missed before the Prov so costly seven so much pressure on him now though inevitably he'll be thinking about the errors that he's made that have cost him frames has to try and block that out but it's not easy knows he has to take this chance and that just makes the break a bit more difficult than it would otherwise be 14 he's overrun the cubble there quite a bit so instead of playing a red to the right corner he's got a thin cut back now 15 controlled the CQ ball well but still work to do still six points behind Rono Sullivan poting this red to the left Center will be a big help because The Two Reds then just above the black become far more accessible 23 29 30 I don't think he's played the best positional shot there he's a little straight on this red to play it with more Pace than he'd like to 38 well played so once again within a few pots belatedly securing his first frame of this UK championship final this red and another color 54 relief ping Juni finally he Nails his chance and this has been an impressive break given the pressure he was under after o salivan missed that tricky red to the left Center he had to deliver this time and he has done something to give him a bit of cheer going into the interval [Applause] 69 71 and he is queuing beautifully as he's proved all week taken a couple of big early knocks but this should make him feel a whole lot better 78 equally knows that those pots that he has missed have to be eliminated if he's to entertain thoughts 83 of a fourth UK Championship because O Sullivan is in unforgiving mood he's played superbly so far 89 a vital frame for ding xung we to win and he won it in style with a break of 89 Ronnie o solivan has produced some of his best snooker of the championship back we go to domic Dale and Philip stud we to break so ding Jung Wei getting us back underway feeling much better no doubt for finally Landing his first frame at this UK Championship final when he had two clear chances to do so in frames two and three Mr Pink and Mr black but how well did O salivan punish him the superb clearance of 71 and then 91 on the Miss black but ding put together a very composed and Steely break of 89 when he was under immense pressure to take that opportunity and reduce the AAR to just two frames four more frames coming this afternoon of course a Poss 11 this evening 10 is the target for the title and a check for £250,000 100,000 going to the runner up and if o salivan does win a record-breaking eighth title this evening then he will be playing ding again in the Masters in the new year one starting second half of this first session as he began the final with a great long red just a safety though Ron Sullivan w great shot there ding's Q action and technique see that the que is right in the middle of the chin he's an even sighted player sight with both eyes chance for dink to attempt this straightest red to the right corner delicate stun down for the black [Applause] perhaps excellent pot the black spot does appear to be occupied and that will be a little bit of a problem for ding because it would mean it has to go on the next highest available spot which I think in this case is the brown spot don't think the pink spots available eight nine D could really do with having the pink in play I don't know if you can Cannon those three Reds and make the Pink Spot available didn't really try try to in the end so the pink on the green [Applause] spot so now all these high value colors all over the place you can see that's a perfect plant probably for the corner and the middle 60 so immediately playing up for the black because the pink spots available now and all of a sudden ding will'll have one of the high value colors back in play at this end of the table would you believe it ding J 16 the curse of the routine Miss poot strikes again for ding what and that wasn't just missed that was badly missed from ding's point of view somebody with such a straight Q action only put that down to tension and pressure eight no well this time Ronnie has some work to do with the qoy very displeased at finishing the wrong side of the the blue has to take the CQ ball in and out of bulk now probably play for the red to the right of the black here but he's got a lot of traffic to try and avoid green pink and brown and the yellow in the end he played a completely different path for the Q ball needless to say he gone all wrong one of the very few errors that Sullivan has made so far the that he missed that letting him for the 89 and the fourth frame was very tricky but he was clearly not happy with that one four ball cannon on the yellow scaer any hopes of position ding will be Mighty relieved that the Miss Black this time hasn't been expensive in terms of a size of below salivan break but a good safety that was a definite half chance for ding as this red that sets the black is for Ronnie into the left corner no problem at all well he won't be on green or pink and the brown is surely far too cute an angle but Ronnie can certainly put ding in trouble here Ronnie on Sullivan [Applause] walk for a terrific po again from salivan had to connect just right there a thing clip into that corner pocket very thin cut this big question is though does the pink pass the green oh it does big chances for Ronnie now if he gets good position on his next red which he has done Sullivan's pot success in this UK final so far seven very impressive 96 he's only missed four eight huge kick there but my fellow professionals won't have a lot of sympathy for Ronnie because he uses the old style of chalk the days when kicks were prevalent 160 23 running on Sullivan 23 23-point lead 67 left that was a little unlucky can of the red fall ball towards that right corner just one good positional shot now that's what one is looking for w think will be [Applause] relieved r War D started this championship in 17th Place having been knocked into the qualifiers by Jang Anders heroics at the International Championship but he's up to 12th now provisionally for getting to the final and we'll go back into the top six where he to win the final he was the world number one back in 2015 a good safety sonan keeping the pressure on this again from one this an identical [Applause] position will be a little more careful though with this shot he can get the CU ball back to a similar position Behind the Green but just need to be careful where this red finishes I think it's okay won't pop past the black so it's pretty safe the middle red of the three next to the black may cut into the right corner here wasn't far away but look at the key [Applause] ball superb shots to nothing from [Applause] ronning oh what a shot breathtaking from ding the PO his way out of trouble and to give himself a chance to win the frame that's got to be one of the best shots we've seen in this whole championships to play it with that much Pace now he's got salivan bang in trouble and in one moment of inspiration balance of power in this frame has changed what a connection from dink you know even rais the butt of the queue in the air there not quite F and a miss things on way for yeah having the cube all clean which suggests to me that he's about to take this red on should be on the black to the opposite Center pocket if it goes in W well played because that was missable but he connected with it once again perfectly didn't touch the sides of the pocket needs another good [Applause] one eight nine this black red black would put him Right Back In Contention in this Frame as he approaches the very tricky yellow 60 well didn't stun up for the blue I under here 17 24 D only 24 yeah sure disappointing end to that little break that has got ding back into contention pH that's such a poor shot it could actually cost him the frame why he be bitterly disappointed if he can't affect the snooker from here thank you thanks [Applause] all [Music] f d we for what a huge frame this is becoming for dingjun Wei he can win it to get to within one having lost the two frames that he did to fall 3-0 behind would really give him a huge boost he loses it he's back to three behind again very lucky there Rono Sullivant just caught the yellow too thinly wanted it to rebound from the side cushion and back across towards the black spot area he may still take this yellow on but as you can see he's very very hampered by the green in fact probably too much so so ding leaves the yellow suivant ly behind colors left so far and away the scrappiest frame of the final so far but what a vital one five it looked as though that moment of magic from ding with The Sensational long red had turned the frame his way but he failed to get position on the yellow failed to execute a snooker which he'll feel he should have done and that let Sullivan back into the frame so blue and pink required 14 terrific positional shot it's not a gimme but it's for a 4-1 lead no problem another Hammer blow for dingan we another frame that Ron O Sullivan has stolen from under his nose to restore his three frame cushion and move into a four frames to one lead at the baracon going to break his own record and make it eight now that's absolutely wonderful from Dean particularly given the disappointment must have been feeling having lost that fifth frame nice see on the black can he bring The Two Reds Above it into play that didn't work out as intended eight D your we at that looked ambitious and he's not got away with it maybe the near misses in this final so far beginning to take a bit of a mental toll on ding who six seven R has the angle on the black to play all kinds of shots here really decides though to go into the Reds hang on there's a red going in and it's gone in ah Ronnie can take some Solace from the fact though I don't think it have been on a red anyway oh I didn't see it sorry okay yeah now referee didn't spot the red going in well I don't know what ding's played there there could be two Reds at the bottom of that little group of four near the pink that may be a plant you didn't look at them whether they are I don't know SC some audible encouragement for ding this is a great chance for him [Applause] w that was a weak one from ding long long way short of his intended position can still pop the red to the left corner but it's at least twice as hard as it should have been ding we six he's taken a lot of blows already in this final three frames he'll feel he should have won could have gone astray put Romeo Sullivan in this at the moment commanding position which he's now threatening to further extend it's a 62nd ranking final appearance for o salivan going for his 40th title four five could play another Cannon if he wished into the four Reds below the pink just to use them as a stopper for the QQ ball oh it's been a bit unlucky there very awkward queing this 12 yeah sure particularly with the bridge rest this is not nice yeah sure yeah ask for the extended spider never a fun when you're having to queue over multiple balls like this only a tiny bit of the cub to aim at and you're striking down from above all sorts of things can go wrong rolling kinds of equipment coming out now we've got the scaffolding rest on bridge rest as Dominic likes to call it he's not a Spiderman thank you he's touched the red so at the end of all of that it's F four away Applause from the crowd for the honesty being back at the table yeah so now ding's got the same shot these implements do look rather ungainly don't they excellent really good it didn't look much that shot but it was superbly executed and it's given ding a chance to claw a frame back well played eight nine 60 17 ninth on the alltime list of ranking event winners sing Jun Wei with 14 he hasn't won one since he last won this in 2019 four years ago 25 good news for ding is that he won't need to bother about the two awkward Reds on cushion rails 30 31 last year it was ding building a commanding lead 4-1 became 6-1 against Mark Allen at that stage it only looked to be one winner of the final Alan had other ideas in the final session winning nine of the last 10 frames the boots on the other foot today ding playing catch up 38 but that red9 should win in his second frame he's shown a lot of resilience throughout the week against Allen 4-2 down feeling decidedly under the weather 45 down to Mark Williams last night was a tough battle with the player of the Season Jud Trump he came through 46 and all of those qualities required again today if he's to give Rono salivan a run for his money salivan nods his head inadvertently fouled when he was using rest and Bridge rest ding executed that shot and did the rest to close to 4-2 things we to break two more to play in this session I think realistically if D can share the remaining two frames of this afternoon session and just go into this evening session with the 53 deficit that's easily retrievable but anything worse then there won't be as much pressure on Rono Sullivant [Applause] W he has poed some long balls today and that's another cracker into that left corner the one in the fifth frame was one of the best of the tournament that wasn't shabby either just the one point though things your we want short ding attempted to hide this potentially potable red maybe the CUO just deviated a fraction see some of the frame scores there that second frame was the key one wasn't it D miss that pink to the right center when he looks set to level up at one all another terrific pop and this time he's H for the black wonderful potting from range from [Applause] ding he's going for it he's not going to take a backward step and he's bid to get right back into this final and after that Miss Pink of course it was the Miss Black into the left corner that cost him in the third frame these are encouraging signs for [Applause] ding 41 behind having lost yet another tight frame he's responded well 160 77 24 one the first of his 14 ranking titles as a wild card beating the great Steven Henry in the process when he was just 18 25 he's had to carry the hopes of a Nation ever since scrutinized for his every shot adored back home but equally the pressure that he's had to deal with throughout his career to produce on the big occasion has been immense it's been a difficult Journey for him at times but how well has he handled it and he's emerged on the other side still one of the top players in the game wonderful CV just the world championship that's missing thank you but there's still time 33 he's still only 36 40 41 ding's positional play remains absolutely faultless really majority of the balls that have cost him dearly been rather simple misses really when in Prime position how different the scoreboard might have looked had he taken those chances but that's gone now he can't change that what he can do is get himself within a frame with one more more to come in this session think you're right 56 he's poed a couple of magnificent long balls early in this Frame and then attack the bunch to give himself the chance to win his second on the bounce 57 yes you're absolutely right Phil some of the long pots we've seen from D have been nothing shorter spectacular really he really is curing magnificently but he's just dealt himself a couple of severe psychological blows is the blue going to reach oh my goodness I don't think ding was sure the crowd weren't sure just about had the weight to disappear this red and another color 603 didn't hold back on frame ball looking for position it's not quite worked out but there's only 67 remaining so suiv needs one snaker as things stand and he's not going to get the chance to play for them dingjun we is showing real metal here 4-1 behind and the circumstances in which he lost three of those frames could really have laid him low but he's come out fighting 77 and he's back in the mix 78 yes and now a 5-3 deficit is guaranteed at worst he'll be gunning for four all what a result that would be from 4-1 behind and he is queuing quite [Applause] superbly long game short game he's looking a million it was just those two erant pots that proved so expensive and then of course lost a tight fifth frame which might have won but he's not allowed him to get down 86 about that he's just focused on what he can influence what's ahead of him 87 not dwelt on what he can't 94 95 and now within a pot of the 12th century of the tournament wonderful this final is coming to the boil Ron O Sullivan was outstanding before the interval in punishing ding's mistakes but now it's the three-time Champions turn show his class 109 114 not just the break but the intent from ding so impressive he's not C by the prospect to try to topple O Sullivan in a big final here at the baron and he's right back in contention backto back frames for ding he shown his tenacity once again and so Ron o Salan breaking off in a bid to take a two-frame cushion into the finale tonight an interesting thing for me here Phil is that Ronnie of Sullivan unless I'm mistaken hasn't made a 30 break since we came back from the interval perhaps that's something to do with the reason he's lost the last couple of frames correct His Highest break in fact since he led 3-0 is just 31 of course he pinched that very tight fifth frame on the pink ding at it again from long range he CAU very close just 19 points from O Sullivan in the last two frames 60 centuries here at the venue we had 80 in qualifying including of course a maximum from Su sir against my high long and if anyone makes two in the Triple Crown Series this season they'll be picking up a bonus of 147,000 needless to say this is a very important frame for both of these players ding will be absolutely thrilled to go into this evening session level at four all Ronnie of selvan would' be very disappointed you'd feel just a little out of stroke now O Sullivan having been largely confined to his chair since he led 4-1 [Applause] w will be looking to get onto the black as soon as possible I wonder if that red next to the black will pot anywhere it's very tight it's not touching the black but it's very close seven I think ding has shown how he has matured as a player down the years in this final today previous periods of his career those errors he made that cost him a couple of frames would have affected him very negatively and might well have cost him 14 any chance of winning a final like this not anymore he's always found inspiration here at the barin three titles runner up last year back in the final this and now within sight of restoring parity and what a result that would be from 4-1 behind 23 doesn't have the angle just to run through for the black directly but he may be able to just nudge off the Reds to do so I'll say nudge off the reds1 blasted through them but he does have some sort of a shot at the BL but my goodness there's pressure on this feels like he's really picked up the pace as well ding in the last couple of frames there's been real intent about the way in which he's gone about his snooker playing at 20 seconds a shot now just one second slower than o salivan and that is another terrific recovery pop he's in the zone 38 had to get it has to keep getting them now though what a chance he's created for himself here to get out of this session on as even thank you when you're playing as well as ding is and scoring heavily 39 you're feeling good it's much easier to be focused and concentrated and be in the zone as Sportsman like to say but when you miss pots that cost you dearly getting back in the zone can take quite a while 46 47 his record overall against I Sullivan is modest just five wins to I Sullivan's 19 he went nearly a decade without beating him but I think a psychological barrier was well and truly broken with his victory over 25 frames at The Crucible he beaten him in the two previous UK meetings whitewashed him last year in the quarters and showing that far from being intimidated by the great man he's actually excited about testing his skills against the alltime best cus 62 if D could make a winning clearance here he be the best part of 300 points or more without reply from Rono Sullivan who described him ahead of this final as the best break Builder he's seen most people thanks would say o salivan is but when ding is playing as he is right now he is a joy to watch and he's two balls away from four each oh don't tell me don't tell me he gone behind the red 70 T chin B would you believe it is it not on a red yeah soin B body language would suggest not just clarifying with Rob Spencer that it is indeed a touching ball unbelievable really on such fine margins conf frames matches finals be won and lost he's going to have to suck it up and play safe thanks d d we putting the black safe because he knows that ron7 need it six red s six pinks and all the colors wouldn't quite be enough another beautiful break from ding but not quite enough and we've been here before this afternoon he knows the job isn't done had to say that didn't go to plan but what's he left nothing easy for sure the red is frame ball Ron is hidden that red near the yellow pocket but I just wonder if ding can play a red it's a thin cut towards that one that's over the yellow pocket and going off it somehow can turn that off please just having a look at it now as our referee Rob Spencer scon somebody for having a phone on what is it all right well surely that's it for O Sullivan in this Frame what a turnaround in this session Sullivan looked pin sharp early on he was punishing D's mistakes and there were a couple of glaring ones that cost him two frames back to back found him 3-0 behind then he lost a tight one for 4-1 behind and he might have folded he's done the complete opposite he's also fluked himself a snooker on the red it doesn't matter what a final here at the UK Championship we now have in store this evening it's a stirring fight back from dingan we he managed to block out ding we to break dingon we to get the second half of the final fin underway 4-4 he was 4-1 down fought back superbly when it looked like at one stage he might be blown away here and that's been the story really of the tourment for him dug in against Mark Allen dug in against Mark Williams of course had that Thriller with Jud Trump he was actually the first player to qualify ding back on Judgment Day will he be the last man standing or will it be this man for an eighth time settle back and enjoy the evening ahead big shot to play in frame one of the night it's just a question of whether ding can pick up immediately had they stayed out there you'd fan him strongly to carry on but it's been a good break a good sort of three hours since the last session what an atmosphere Alan yeah that was a spine tingling reception that both players got moments ago almost taking a breather for a couple of shots good evening to you all thanks for your company this is going to be quite some evening one of the biggest evenings of the snooker calendar thanks D thank you yeah the way that then played I think the ass solivan alarm Bells will be ringing never going to panic but he knows the quality and The Talented educated fingers of ding Jun we the way he's played there the way he finished the session was an onslaught and I think Ronnie was glad when the end of the session came worth remembering how well he regrouped in the world final back in 2022 Jud Trump had dominated the third session and it came out like it's a different match at the evening and that's experience I guess he got away didn't he with the long ready talk on he didn't leave ding in ball's in inviting positions for whoever does get in first one attempt each no joy yet probably still living the tension of those intros the one thing I think everyone's delighted to see is that we're seeing ding back to something like his best because we need him up there at the top of the game he's too good not to be regularly he's been posted missing for most of the last three or so years we need him up there doing his thing because he he he does it in such a incredible way he cu ball today was Sensational yeah if he were to win then he'd go up to number sixth in the world on the official two-year list and on the oneyear list second he'd be all the player series and all of that he would be anyway I think if he finish running up but back where he kind of belongs the top end of the list W so suiv breaks the deadlock and ends that run of an answer of points 2 [Applause] [Applause] 41 four two out a three ain't bad here's part three to get him in perhaps for a good chance [Applause] five the Brown's not an option not the PT I wouldn't think it's too difficult to queueing Ry solivan five well it's always a great occasion but the ticket holders people who paid their money to come along one a night they've got here History either way of Sullivan extending the record for UK titles to8 ding becoming only the fourth player to won at least four well he's had a look at the poting angle of the red as you can see and it goes W good chance they miss for San to get going for a second time this [Applause] [Applause] evening eight Rob benser taking charge of the final Pink Spot three so that's where the black's gone n 30 years ago oh solivan became the youngest UK champion at 17 if he wins tonight he'll become the oldest at 47 it's his birthday actually in just a couple of days time 14 50 yeah got to work the C Ball here the natural goes into the face of the yellow 20 second 21 26 27 key shot now bit awkward that left shoulder High to avoid the red it's not just the best player we've ever seen that's ever walked the planet one of the reasons for it is because he's largely unaffected by these type of occasions he's able to play sort of off the cuff snooker when the stakes are at the very highest which of course they are tonight 30 it's another fabulous shot to create an angle through Pace just working on getting that black into play 38 39 this time no impediment to the far Corner can get down on it properly and finds the middle of the pocket this time good to go now 44 45 always the case of course with these finals and we see at the world championship the multisession matches yes it's one match but it's divided up and there's been three hours for O Sullivan to collect his thoughts draw and all the experience he has ding fought back well but then they had to stop playing Sullivan is clearly regrouped 51 and this is the pop that should make it 5-4 yeah and the smartness of that shot he knew that the blue would put him past the threshold he would didn't want to risk the black in the middle remember the pink that Ding missed earlier today when he should have won the frame 56 so even although it's off the cuff and looks good doing it he thinks his way around the table and that red surely stops any recovery playing on from [Applause] ding 62 ranking final looking for a 40th title would be his first of course in a ranking event since that seventh World title in May 2022 seven seven super 78 7 well what a start to a big big night the question marks coming in after losing the last three the way he did have been answered emphatically 84 bre kanes at 84 in front as the evening session gets underway here in York it's the seven times Champion he nudges ahead 5-4 of the UK Championship final cranks into life of suiv winning the first frame there with a break of 84 10 the target of course for victory quar of a million to the winner D of course was runner up last year to Mark Allen he made the running in that match he led 6-1 fact the worst he's ever been halfway in a UK final is four each with John Higgins 2009 he went on to win 108 never been behind coming into the final [Applause] session just felt this week There's been something sort of blessed about ding in York he uh could easily have lost to Mark Allen he wasn't feeling well anywhere in the match was 4-2 down turn that round of course had a big match with Tom Ford for the Masters beat him was 5-4 down to Mark Williams they had that extraordinary frame with the record points but won the last two there and then last night held off Jud Trump and that's after coming through two rounds of qualifying as [Applause] well but he's playing someone who holds a 195 winning record against him in previous meetings [Applause] [Applause] yeah the right drop maybe not the best kiss though Ron siiv to keep the pressure on here early exchanges [Applause] yeah didn't bargain for the bump of the middle pocket think has a couple of options to either corner yes I like this one too the one in the open left of the black anything but a thin mess and he won't contact a red on the way back that's okay I think Ronnie also will sense that ding's long game is in terrific Nick so that type of shot he's playing there he knows that he can't leave anything sticking out so r I think in some ways as to say he's aware of everything you'll be aware of that fact and that puts a way bit of pressure on your Sullivan safety he's going to invite Ronnie to have a red along the end ier one to Middle here have many other appealing options so the gauntlet has been laid down w this blue Sullivan was in the practice room playing tons of these this morning for this moment right here nope it's one of those you see him pop plenty I do think that the concern for him this afternoon was once he started missing he carried on there was a period where he did struggle it's up to ding obviously to pounce now whenever that does happen [Applause] one it's also noticeable just how popular he is here ding you know saw it on the intros we've seen it outside plenty of people waiting for autographs and selfies and that's uh of course because he's done so well here but also just he's conducted himself so well for his country over the years and for snooker in general his form has been a bit erratic you know he's been yo-yoing in and out of the top 16 but this run here just getting to the final really makes him secure for now and if he were to win it then he'd be back in the top eight just one wrinkle here as well if if o Solomon were to win then they'd play each other in the first round at the Masters if ding wins then Ronnie would play Mark Williams ding would play Ellie Carter because it would affect where ding would be seeded top eight or not so 11 60 this is where his Superior Cube ble is likely to come in handy spinning this around the corner got to get top side 17 fabulous shot look at that absolutely two the millimeter he played that it's the Hallmark of his game for yeah he just feel that this is a stage he should be on you know these big finals we sort of missed him a bit since last year when he won when he got to the final won six of the first seven frames against Mark Allen 23 won the six Reds didn't he but since then he's been quiet he had that extraordinary business where he was dror frame at the English open because he was wearing trousers that were basically too smart for the dress code only in snooker could that happen took it on the chin but it is in his beloved York where he's come good again important visit this he we've seen our Sullivan start really well looking confident made that 84 ding wants to show him he's feeling good as well that was a strange one that was a way bit we so he's got to almost use the cannoning red as a cushion and screw off it nothing he can handle but it's quite an unusual shot played it beautifully [Applause] 29 it might just work in his favor now that the one that he can in backup table the one he's about to pot 33 there's no out the way so this next shot in the blue 34 just high of straighten the red Absol absolutely played again see those are the brilliant shots in this game it's not the look at that just high of straight those are those are the shots that a snooker player looks at and what a shot that [Applause] was basically because you're trying to land it on a Hy piece and when you do it you think oh a proper shot 4y son false yangs so the next red we leave our leaning a sneer if pots it remember what happened earlier on frame two Mr Pink San cleared up in it goes though 56 TR that to just focus on potting it so one Snoopy needed things on WE 56 yeah good 56 that was a clever shot that he played just pushing the pink away from the Reds because of the potential of Ronny peeling off the two red blacks and tucking him in behind the pink so that's not on now good thinking advanced stuff that was always got to look ahead for danger thank that was a very abrupt concession wasn't it San had seen enough game on again five each and this final you get the feeling tonight could turn into an absolute classic everyone settling down for frame 11 of a possible 19 ding has made 56 So Sol an 84 in the first of the evening played in five previous finals San won four of them but of course ding has a couple of wins over him at this very venue including 60 last year in the quarterfinals lovely pot is kind of almost the a Sullivan way now as to he doesn't S produce too many Thunderbolts from bulk these days he does the odd one of course but very good at those typ sh just picking off his opponent from bulk also interesting that he conceded there with you know still possibilities of winning the frame but he wants to get on with it he actually I think wants this to be an entertaining contest you'd like to win of course you would four always mindful of wanting to entertain like D five no [Applause] s yeah terrific shot pity the red doesn't go to right corner 60 I wasn't thinking think one by the black spot War terrific pick out that was considering he didn't know it was on [Applause] 24 25 32 33 such an unusual position that Reds in isn't it the black will go in it spot obviously but the red is no good to either corner well that's what he thought of thatan not much [Applause] f [Applause] W he's been playing this shot particularly well getting the cuq ball working off the pink this time goes in medium pace it wasn't going to happen that way still on one but not easy six well it's a key moment I think in the evening every chance had he parted that to go on and take the lead of Sullivan as it is 34 in front as he comes back to the table sh a bit of frustration missing the previous pot when he was at the table [Applause] well eight yeah so that tells us the black is actually on its spot it's not as close to the red as possible as we see the Miss Again by ding because the Pink Spot is in the open he's causing him an issue here that one red no 50 virtual frame ball with a pink waiting 60 yeah he missed that pot with the rest he clearly wasn't happy but fact that it hasn't been costly you can put that to one side 22 23 so the pink for to 65 we in a match where not that much he really being missed the the red from ding it was a thin clip to that right corner fact that he missed it was significant clearly not just because meant he broke down but as I say it allows O Sullivan to recover from what happened when he was in and not sort of sit in his chair getting frustrated 37 he's had to battle hard at times in this tournament Robert milkins had a great chance several actually to beat him in their decider zy long was five for up against him s ver came out confident but Sullivan put him away in the semis one last effort needed tonight 46 53 54 60 62 65 69 74 80 so it was indeed a key Miss from Ding and that's why suan clears up very nicely with 87 and he's back in front in the UK Championship final it's a swift Affair that cl's going by averaging about 14 minutes take your seats please for I thought the way Ronnie that long red was telling mentioned earlier that he'll be weary as Den gets a a bonus cover in bulk he'd be wary of ding's game in close with good reason obviously but the fact that he went deep on the Q ball to come back for bulk color tells you that he is weary against a lot of players he would have just gone middle ball stay for the blue cuz that way the pot's easier but he knows the consequences of leaving ding in close F the M things on WE for [Applause] w things and we w something else to note with this type of shot he did it in his last last shot Ronnie he's tiptoeing his way through these safety shots very thin contact this time okay well as he got the fluke that surprises me that he played figure of eight I mean there's nothing on the right wing and bulk for cover that was a strange one I know he wants to get the game on and the game flowing and make moves but there was no move to make on that occasion easy pot this cushion first first can he get the Q ball out of there you'd imagine he's going to get some kind of flick on a red just the question of whether it's a good one nearly blue ball thank you things we want Humper bridging that might be almost as good as a snooker maybe even better Ronnie just about get to the middle of the Q Ball but this is a toughy been hitting this shot while he ped one against CH it was the other side of the table it was into the other top left left corner it was the red that got him over the line wasn't it against CH Trump not the exact same shot but similar deciding on the straighter one so pink and black waiting get the pot he guaranteed you'd think to be on one just was a we bit surprised he didn't play the one out in the open I mean he's the man behind the queue he knows how he's feeling but that was a tough partt in any circumstances well well that has to go down into reprieve for ding the way again been a lot heavy scoring in the final but the interesting thing of course is what happens before for that what happens to get the players in and psychologically that can make such a difference as well D has made a century 114 in frame 7 and San's best break 91 in frame three there's no doubt that of the two ding is the aggressor but Ronnie will be glad to pick up the pieces as and when the chances come and here's another good [Applause] one yeah that's it because it's such an open game invariably when the chances come they're all kind of there but anything's missable as we know he's trying to just get some clear blue water here at 75 eight the thing is if you could choose anyone to lose to it would probably be ding he loves ding but the fact is he still wants to beat him tonight and win this title for an eighth time it's been such an effort all week from him 14 50 yeah I definitely think of the two players it seems to me that Ding is the one who's playing actually the better of the two or to put it another way feels more comfortable with his own game but of course these guys are that good that if you let them in close as ding has here it doesn't really matter how oh solivan oring for that matter are feeling about their game they're going to punish you this sort of chance it's like picking up off the floor for these guys 31 but that's the gamble 307 and then so far just seems like the more like to play a hand than Ronnie 44 45 see even here he's been so watchful Two Reds in the open you think no problem wants to play on both of them if he can so he's spinning the CU ball round to try and just put it into open play but he wants to play in both Reds you see that he's being more watchful 50 51 so two more pots needed for 75 ding's aggression is admirable but he's going to have to start getting them because he's leaving chances he just cannot leave for R Sullivant 57 he's won the mini session then and he's too clear again in the final ding needs another rally like we saw this afternoon from 4-1 down like we saw in round one from Mark Gallen against Mark Gallen from 4-2 down 63 still time [Applause] 64 71 7 the one thing he's not done yet he's make a century in the final he's had four in the tournament 79 can be double well not to be but 79 once again he's taken advantage of a chance that was presented to him and Ronnie suan has moved three frames away dingon week a break so dingon we gets the UK Championship final back underway he's trailing 75 to R Sullivan who's won three of the first four frames this evening 10 needed to become Champion it would be an eighth success for o suiv a fourth for ding in this great tournament the final mini session of the UK Championship Sullivan needs three ding from here would have to win 52 he'd have to produce the sort of rally he did from 41 down to 44 at the end of the afternoon for [Applause] yeah I couldn't do anything about the Q ball flirting with that corner now I think he had a glance at the blue but it's a shot you hardly ever play such a scary shot but again he's pressing and trying to stay positive as he can very unlucky great po six and virtually bolt straight on the red along the cushion yeah this name is and are tied as far as uh things are we six it be aggressive sometimes you just got to well not take what's there just too difficult that right along the Cush might be pushing the black safe [Applause] here [Applause] for [Applause] tickets for next year's UK Championship went on General sale this morning already being snapped up so a mistake now thing is at that point where he has to start taking advantage [Applause] W Pink Spot occupied so this becomes a decent chance now seven eight yeah it's been an adversity where he's played his best sneaker in the tournament even going back to the first qualifying match he was 43 down to Daniel Wells you know those qualifiers can be pretty sticky Affairs he got through 64 42 down to Mark Allen 5-4 down to Mark Williams and it looked for all the world like it would be a decider with J Trump that seemed to be what the script was saying but ding played a very good 10th Frame to get it one so when the pressures come on and we saw it again this afternoon 41 down he has responded 50 now does he risk the cannon on the two together to to make the Pink Spot open yeah good shot just that bit easier to work off on from its own spot just watching his Q actually have been more vocal than most in the last two or three years about some sort of flaw which I don't like saying and and ding's Q action on delivery I actually watched back this morning when I woke up I watched the 2009 UK final against John Higgins where he won 108 just to sort of have a look back retrospective of how he's he was striking the ball then 27 and I'm pleased to see that he sort of rectified it not completely but it's much better than it has been the last couple of years 33 yeah so let's let's just see how quickly the transition from pullback to delivery on this one is it's quite a quick delivery there wasn't it you know he's still just about okay the odd shot it doesn't look like it did back in the day still okay [Applause] F [Applause] 41 it's just a wee bit quicker than it ever has been but he he's somehow been able to manage it in this championship 46 thank you 47 so in between yellow brown little trace a left hand side just beat the middle pocket with a Q ball that'll do nicely so 52 not out the woods just yet but possibilities there looking for red color red than your way well he missed a p to that pocket in frame Two O Sullivan cleared up from 63 behind the balls were in much nicer positions then this is a tough table even so could have been over ding was closing in on 76 W just never know de with this man what could CRA up here four she didn't quite work out trying to develop the red so 54 in it possible 67 on Ron suiv [Applause] four [Applause] for yeah ding of course desperate not to open up the two lots of safe Reds thank you concern on Ron's face as he left this I mean if you can see the red it's it's no problem the pot it's just whether we can get it thin enough no this could take on a whole new complexion Ronnie just releases these two Reds here and doesn't leave a pot on takes on a whole new complexion as he left the plant well this pink would get him 61 in front with 59 on but of course if he doesn't B it then well clearance could be on things we want no time like the present he know he's got to make a move quickly Now's the Time got to get this [Applause] though so ding relieved to get this second chance here suiv not happy at all to have left it w d of course made the in the frame with the 52 this time looks like he has held [Applause] on six when they made the draw which was top 16 in one hat qualifies it another he was the name everyone wanted to avoid and of course Mark Allen was the man who had to play on day one ding R he's ranked everybody's fully aware of how good he has been how good he still can be and we've seen a lot of that this week he may need to still produce his best new gr the week to win this but he's hanging on in there wasn't the cleanest kill but he's won the first frame back after the interval so just one frame separates them again Ronnie Sullivan now leading of course in this final we did get to level at 44 and at 55 still a possible six fr to play [Applause] nicely done keable held up can he produce another spell like we saw from 4-1 down when he was superb for three frames four five s 11 [Applause] 16 seven s I like the fact you know that was awkward but he kind of didn't make a meal of it did he got into position pretty much immediately ready to play it played it well of course it is middle of the night in China but I'm sure there'll be plenty watching this 24 fascinating Battle of course with Rono Sullivan who's popular all around the world 31 [Music] 32 39 aggressive intent by thing calculating that he would have needed at least one of the Reds in the pack F now little flick on the brown he well set to draw level again Ronnie can't get away from him he's playing with a supreme confidence I believe is D I think he did against joh Trump semi-final he's playing in a way that I think he believes he's going to win this ultimately tonight there's a difference between really believing that you're going to win and just wanting to win and hoping you're going to win it's just the way that he's going about it he's playing with a a style and a speed that is like it's like he wants to get it done quickly he really is get motoring when he gets this type of chance almost irritated that he's got to go back and get the mini butt extension just got to dot the eyes and cross the teas of this chance now 52 Ronnie's break off was loose and this is the consequences of it I believe D is by a distance is playing the best of the two of them two more Reds required to win the framing one visit and really raise the temperature in this final 59 demonstrating here what a wonderful break Builder he is but what a time to pull out a contribution like this6 fry ball for 7 s 67 he's made 12 centuries in the UK Championship including three in qualifying the record for a single UK champ 13 nil Robertson back in 2020 can equal that here what a time to do it and he's showing great intent he's showing Ron San he believes he can win and he's playing snooker here of the quality that suggests he's right 80 18 88 89 I love how quickly he gets locked into the shot when he gets down boom and he's there it all happens so naturally what a gift he has that's for the century 13th of the tournament for ding J we it's going to end here I [Applause] suspect what a time to make that 104 to level up dramatically just one chance needed and he took it the final has turned D we to break ding J we in the ascendancy in the UK Championship final he's won the last two he's never been in front is this the moment it changes seven all he's equal nil Robertson's record of 13 Century breaks in a single UK championship and he's playing the sort of snooker that suggests he can continue but of course he can turn back he knocked in a long red in the last frame Sullivan return the favor here at the start of frame 15 just noticed something on the Q ball oh sweet snooker infy the sound of that was the impressive thing for getting the PT itself what a [Applause] shot full of risk but full of intent Sol's just gone back to his chair while the referee Rob Spencer gets the pink into precise position here just below its own spot thank you s just giving Ronnie actually a chance to survey the scene what he has on offer eight 15 16 23 24 just got a glimpse of that red there on the Southeast corner of the pack it does go to left corner so that's worth noting more access to it once this red is removed 32 37 38 yeah he had some easy pickings there but decided to shake the tree and get to the the sweet ones so now you would think with one good positional shot he's all set to take the lead again that's beautifully played F 41 yet to make a Santio solivan in the final but a frame winning break doesn't really matter whether it's 80 90 or 100 gets you on the board it's also when you do it you know it's sat out really two frames question was could he find the response the long red flew in first shot he's controlled things superbly and he's giving himself every chance to Edge back in front 56 57 I think this is as good a frame of Snoop as he's played in the whole tournament the way he's controlled it and given the circumstance with didn't coming back at him you know we're late on in the final now 62 [Applause] 63 well 6 minutes that break to get to the frame ball position just absolutely brilliant 7 yeah we know all about the way these guys play these days and the way they're capable of playing something that's never crept into 79 top level snooker is the breakoff shot in terms of switching the last two frames the red has been offered up on the right wing and it's been dispatched with the minimum of fuss 86 thing made a century you got to think Ronnie's about to reply in kind I just think sometimes that players should switch the breakoff they're both playing from the yellow as we call it in between yellow brown so it be interesting to see if ding offers up that or sorry Ronnie offers up the red to ding this next frame on the way I say offer up not deliberate but it's just a habit that you sometimes can't shake 96 so the black then for his first century of the final what a time to make it ding was in a [Applause] Groove but Sullivan has stepped in with a terrific 100 exactly thing just can't quite get in front of him he keeps pegging him back he can't get ahead it's so Sullivan who leads once again frame frame 16 of a possible 19 87 oan has just made his first century of this year's final the fifth is made in the tournament here's this shed again [Applause] actually from a neutral point of view I'm glad he didn't knock that in and make another Century I want to see I want to see a battle to get control of a frame foul miss I'll check it right yeah yeah it's okay that's right okay well he's not sure where the contact was made so you got on there the referee's gone down to look on the camera of the great cameramen he's going to come into play here if he can get the replay on his camera referee's going to look at it just looking him if you fine there right just go back I can't see it can't quite see the the actual potential point of contact there just go back again really slow now the red doesn't move at all so if he hit it it was very thin okay all right it's not a f l it touched the red okay well he decided it did touch it yeah good stuff that by Rob Spencer it was difficult to tell one way or to other wasn't it but I I think he he also took into consideration he put trust in the player and that's a brilliant thing but yeah it did look like it it was almost like the wind the Q ball in the way pass just rocked the red ever so slightly yeah what I liked about all that is he he found a solution there the referee he didn't just sort of shrug a shoulder and say well that was my decision you know he actually attempted to sort it out and it was all done very quickly sensibly [Applause] think will'll be thankful to see the the black parking on this end cushion but Ronnie does have a natural Path Round this red on the left Kush but can he avoid the pack on the way back up table surprised he played it that pacy R Sol them one yeah about one degree of angle on it but he can't get to the left half of the Q ball to spin the Q ball out of there yeah so he decided to punch it and got this much it as was possible [Applause] it is noticeable how much support he's getting because when they played in that Masters final 2007 and ding was still a teenager at the time the crowd there were not sections of it anyway were not as nice to him let's just put it that way it was pretty hostile at times and quite an upsetting occasion but this is much different here in York but things are we miss that one w yeah terrific opening there those guys are privileged we get to see the best players in the world at Close Quarters I was in the practice room this morning and that long red was the one that Ronnie was practicing seven what's he got here in terms of angle he's having to manipulate it stun almost stun come forward through just didn't quite have the Natural 12 R Sullivan [Applause] swell here's another one of those practice shots and he was going deep on the Q ball this morning and spinning it back can he find another [Applause] y [Applause] four five oh this could develop this is a huge shot if he can just get any contact on the black with one of the Reds [Applause] yeah now then this pink thin cut to Middle does he play it what a massive shot of the final if he plays it it's thinner than it looks on screen we'll get to see it from from floor camera perhaps not this time but this is it there it is wow what a big shot that was yeah the Applause started early everyone was absolutely sure that was in but it it just dropped in so now he's got the whole frame of his Mercy yeah he's putted three pile drivers in the last two and a half or one and a half frames that have given him control back of this final 25 that's the thing however anyone assesses the way he's played in this tournament at seven each he had to step up his game and he has done we saw it in the last frame of the Sentry we've seen the ways got this Frame open at his Mercy see 31 he has stepped it up and if he can just finish this Frame now it' be just one from an eighth UK Championship Victory quite remarkable 38 39 45 46 it's pink then for 97 every time ding has pegged him backo suan has got ahead of him again and now for ding the equation is pretty straightforward he's going to have to win the last three frames otherwise it's so Sullivan's title once again 53 and the UK Championship started 1977 the master started in 75 no one has won any of them eight times you have to go back 55 years John pman won his eighth World Championship he dude hadn't been released yet 67 so history may be eminent but thing's not out of this not by a long chalk as he get one more s of fight in him to somehow get back into this [Applause] final [Applause] 74 two great breaks from O Sullivan 100 and that's 74 Barn storming stuff from the world number one and he is one away from Victory leading 97 buo Solomon's in he might only need one chance to get this one 17th frame things you meet to break for [Applause] he's in a bit of trouble here if he plays the conventional safety shot he's got to get it absolutely spot on I can understand I'm looking for a different option because it's not a nice shot to play he's got the obvious red to avoid the blue looms large in the middle of the table F the Miss Ronnie off five no then well Ronnie decide to build a trigger the answer is yes first chance to get it one of course a very special tourament for him we had all the commemorations earlier this week 30 years on from becoming the youngest Champion his first breakthrough ranking title success the week before he turned 18 no many many chapters many volumes in the Rono Sullivan story since then and it would seem plenty more to come and this would be one of the biggest tonight if you could get to eight UK titles when you consider all the talent all the players in the game established players emerging players all threatening his Supremacy here he is is with his chance 24 [Applause] 25 32 [Applause] 3 4y FY [Applause] W 47 thank you Che just about need it for yank and he has access still to Two Reds does he play the cannon on the right right hand Wing ball [Applause] yeah and they're all f for him now they're there if this red goes in he should win it here and [Applause] now the quality from bulk has been astonishing in the last few frames 56 and if he goes on and wins the title for an eighth [Applause] time that'll be the hallm mark of the victory hasn't been at his best but when push has came to sh he's produced the goods again 64 well as long as snooker is played this name Rono Sullivan is going to echo down the ages and this is why it's more history for the greatest player ever ding Jun we pushed him in this final session Ronnie or Sullivan responded with his best snooker of the tournament in these last few frames from seven each here has been Sublime 79 look at that there's a 146 on in the last frame of the tournament juo will be happy to know that his maximum in the qualifiers will still stand but that would be some way to finish ding again has had a great week in York he's entertained and delighted he many fans and did not play badly in this final but O Sullivan had just found something from somewhere to Sprint to the line at 94 95 ever the showman it's going to be a sentury to finish [Applause] we came here talking about 1993 that great breakthrough win and we end it still talking about Rono Sullivan 108 Legend 109 yeah that looks correct The Legend [Applause] Continues 1150 [Applause] 117 [Applause] 124 the cheering in every ball and why not what a sight Ronnie O Sullivan in full Flo so 30 years after becoming the youngest winner of this title and two days before he turns 48 Rono Sullivan has become the oldest UK Champion somehow he keeps on raising the bar an eighth UK title he's beaten dingon we 107 then winning it [Applause] again for an eighth time he's not so sure about the medal but he'll love holding this trophy a l once again and the crowd absolutely love watching [Applause] it

Channel: CHANNEL SNOOKER

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Id: laoNAiOHzjw

Length: 221min 54sec (13314 seconds)

Published: Sat Mar 23 2024