Ding wins historic Shanghai Masters final
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 23, 2013
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Ding and Xiao embraced after the historic final. |
Ding Junhui beat Xiao Guodong 10-6 in snooker's first ever all-Chinese ranking final to win the Shanghai Masters title.
This is the first time two of the Chinese stars have gone all the way in a ranking event, though, and it was the more established Ding who prevailed to win his seventh title - and his second on home soil, following the 2005 China Open.
Ding took the first two frames with top breaks of 42 and 83, then Xiao made 62 and 67 for 2-2.
Frames were exchanged for 3-3 before a magnificent break of 126 set up Ding for a run of three consecutive frames to lead 6-3 after the first session.
On the resumption, Xiao pulled one back with a 78, only for Ding to reel off three frames in a row with 58, 78 and 81 for 9-4. The gap was reduced to 9-6, but Ding clinched victory with a 71.
"Before the final I knew I needed to build an early lead, and I had to keep my safety strong to force my opponent to give me chances," said Ding.
"I built a three-frame lead in the afternoon session because Xiao's safety was not as good as mine. But he managed to play relaxed and open frames in the evening so he did pull some frames back, after I had reached nine. I'm just happy that I managed to win my tenth frame with a solid break."
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