Ding fights back to beat defending champion Allen

2 years ago 46
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Ding JunhuiDing Junhui is a three-time UK champion
Venue: Barbican Centre, York Dates: Saturday, 25 November - Sunday, 3 December
BBC coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer, as well as the BBC Sport website and mobile app

Ding Junhui fought back to beat defending champion Mark Allen 6-5 in a thrilling final-frame decider in the first round of the UK Championship.

The result sees Ding exact a measure of revenge for last year's final when the Northern Irishman overturned a 6-1 deficit to triumph 10-7 in York.

Breaks of 67, 106 and 60 had helped Allen establish a commanding 4-2 lead.

However, China's Ding then reeled off four of the last five frames and sealed his win with a superb century break.

Mark Williams also advanced with a 6-4 victory over Fan Zhengyi and will now meet England's Kyren Wilson or his Welsh compatriot Jamie Clarke in the last 16.

Three-time UK champion Ding will play either England's Tom Ford or Thailand's Noppon Saengkham next.

More to follow.

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