‘Take a bow!’ - Zhang Anda hits 147 against Tom Ford in International Championship final to lead first session

Published 12/11/2023 at 10:23 GMT

Zhang Anda walked away from the opening session of his International Snooker final against Tom Ford with a 5-4 lead, helped by a magnificent 147 break in the third frame. The home favourite cleared the table to take a 2-1 lead after he dropped the opener, the third maximum break of the season. He closed the first session with another century to take control of the tie.

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

Zhang Anda enjoyed a special moment in front of his home crowd during the International Championship final in China when he knocked in a sensational 147 break against Tom Ford.

After conceding the opening frame, Zhang fought back to level the tie before meticulously clearing the table with a maximum break to take the lead.

Zhang headed for the interval in control after a ninth-frame century gave him a 5-4 lead to take into Sunday’s second session, but it was a sensational third frame that stole the show.

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“Take a bow, Zhang Anda!” Eurosport commentator Alan McManus said when the 31-year-old concluded his stunning clearance. “A magnificent 147 maximum break!

“A handshake from Tom Ford and why not? He looks as cool as a cucumber!”

With one red left on the table, Zhang nearly squandered the chance for a maximum when he rattled the jaws of the top left pocket before it eventually dropped in, much to the crowd’s delight.

After knocking in the black and with only colours remaining, all of which were positioned perfectly, Zhang began his final run.

Each shot was greeted with raucous applause from his home crowd, as the world No. 37 edged towards a historic moment as Ford could only watch on.

An impeccably-weighted shot on the blue followed before he finished the job to complete the 192nd maximum break in professional snooker, and the third of this season.

Zhang also made a 147 in European Masters qualifying last year.