Ding Junhui hits 'unbelievable' 147 maximum against Ronnie O'Sullivan in Masters opener at Alexandra Palace

Updated 08/01/2024 at 16:01 GMT

Those heading to Ally Pally on Monday were perhaps expecting the fireworks to come from Ronnie O'Sullivan - and they did initially as The Rocket coasted into a 4-0 lead against Ding Junhui. But the Chinese star roared back into contention and knocked in a stunning 147 break in frame seven to swing things back in his favour. Ding dropped his head in relief at the break's completion, to huge cheers.

'Wonderful!' - Ding constructs masterful 147 maximum to roar back against O'Sullivan

Ding Junhui set the 2024 Masters alight with a superlative 147 break against Ronnie O'Sullivan at Alexandra Palace.

Trailing 4-2 to The Rocket - having earlier been 4-0 down - Ding set about forging his way back into the match as he coasted through the early reds and blacks in frame seven.

With the balls nicely set, it became clear something special was very much on.

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And the previously spluttering Chinese kept his nerve amid a - for once - hushed Ally Pally crowd to clear all the way to the black and seal a hugely memorable moment.

It was Ding's second maximum at The Masters, with only four to have ever been made at the tournament.

It was, however, to be Ding's high point of the match, as O'Sullivan recovered to take the next two frames to progress 6-3.

Ding reflected afterwards on his miraculous feat.

"You need some luck, sometimes you think you couldn't make it [a 147]," he told Eurosport.

"The record has always been nice in history, I know the snooker fans [are] enjoying today.

Ding Junhui acknowledges the crowd after getting a maximum break of 147

Image credit: Getty Images

"Also I'm enjoying because Ronnie played a good match - we just keep attacking!"

Speaking in the arena after his win, there was only one place for O'Sullivan to start.

"Unbelievable 147 from Ding," The Rocket began.

"I knew he was going to make it from about the second or third red, his positional play is so good.

"What a magnificent player, great break. I was pleased to get over the line in the end."

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There was similar admiration for Ding emanating from the Eurosport studio, as Jimmy White and Alan McManus reacted to what they had witnessed.

"That was absolutely magic," White said.

"Two or three times he [Ding] could've gone up for the blue or pink, but the balls were in a nice situation, and that yellow at the end - really difficult pot.

"I'm so pleased for him."

McManus added that after Ding had found a plant "from nowhere", the reds were like a "cherry tree waiting to be picked off."