International Championship 2023: Zhang Anda triumphs with 147 to beat Tom Ford and clinch maiden ranking title

Published 12/11/2023 at 14:59 GMT

In a memorable match for the home favourite, Zhang Anda made three centuries to beat Tom Ford 10-6 in the International Championship final in Tianjin, China on Sunday. The 37th-ranked player, who eliminated Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-final, fired a third-frame 147 maximum break in a scintillating performance to overcome the Englishman and secure his maiden ranking title.

'Take a bow!' - Zhang knocks in superlative 147 in International Championship final v Ford

Zhang Anda knocked in a second career 147 maximum break to beat Tom Ford 10-6 and claim the International Championship title on Sunday, his first ranking trophy.

The home favourite put on an excellent display in front of the Tianjin crowd in China, and made three centuries as he overcame the Englishman.

An opening break of 63 was enough for Ford to take an early lead before Zhang responded with 57 to draw level.

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The first two frames would look dull in comparison to the third when Zhang produced a phenomenal maximum break to stun Ford and take control of the early stages.

The home favourite was lauded by the partisan crowd as he sealed the third 147 of the season and the second maximum clearance of his career.

Ford couldn’t quite replicate Zhang’s effort, but his 93-point clearance pegged one back at 2-2.

'What a performance!' - Watch as Zhang seals title in Ford clash

Two more exchanges followed for 3-3 before Ford edged the tightest of frames 51-50 to move ahead for the second time in the match.

Zhang, ranked 37th in the world, stepped his game up in the following two frames to initially draw level after knocking in 86, before a second century of 101 gave him a 5-4 advantage going into the second session.

Both players were rusty on the back of the interval, with the first frame of the evening session in Tianjin going to Ford, who mustered up a break of 91 following a scrappy return to action.

At 5-5, there was eventually daylight between the pair as the world No. 37 frustrated Ford in back-to-back frames.

During another scrappy encounter, Ford caught the jaws of the right centre with an attempted safety shot which allowed Zhang in, and he cleared for 6-5.

Runs of 34 and 65 from the home player were enough in the 12th for the two-frame cushion, and he took even further control with a third century break of 108 for 8-5 as the pair entered the mid-session interval.

Ford had a golden chance to reduce the deficit but after sinking a cluster of reds, missed a long pink to hand Zhang the opportunity to go within one frame of victory.

With his first ranking event title and a prize worth £175,000 in sight, Zhang closed out the 14th frame to take a commanding 9-5 lead.

Ford hit back to make it 9-6 after a solid run of 55 and a rare Zhang error.

He started just as well in the next frame, but missed a tough black to the left corner to open the door for Zhang, who pounced.

And Zhang capitalised to complete his victory.

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