Masters snooker: Ding Junhui beats Mark Williams to reach last eight
Ding Junhui defeated Mark Williams 6-5 in the final decider and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Alexandria Palace Masters.
While neither player was at their best after a shattered start, with top scores of 36 each in the first two games, an engaging match began after the break.
Williams, the two-time Welsh champion, broke with breaks of 57 and 70 to take a 3-2 lead before the momentum turned towards his Chinese opponent, who shot 64 and 60.
In a see-saw match, Williams tied the score with a brilliant break of 136, then tied the score at 9 after Ding Junhui scored 66 to lead 5-4.
However, the 2011 champion fired a 76 to force the match into the 11th over after enjoying a fortuitous run, before sealing victory with a brilliant break of 90.
“Being 5-4 down, I had a bit of luck. I broke all the balls and he had no chance,” Ding told BBC Sport.
“I love the Masters. They’re always tough. We all struggled in the beginning and I told myself to relax.”
Din will now face either Judd Trump or Barry Hawkins in the quarter-finals, while Mark Selby will face Ali Carter later on Monday (19:00 GMT).
