UK Championship 2023 semi-finals recap - Ding Junhui outlasts Judd Trump, will face Ronnie O'Sullivan in final
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ByEurosport
Updated 02/12/2023 at 23:25 GMT
Welcome back to Eurosport's live coverage of the 2023 UK Championship, the first Triple Crown of the year. We're on to the semi-finals now with 'The Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan beating Hossein Vafaei in the early session. In the late window the tour's most in-form player, Judd Trump, will play against another former winner in the form of Ding Junhui.
‘That’s a Barnes Wallis shot!’ - O’Sullivan thrills crowd with extraordinary pot
Ding reacts
"I’ve played against Judd for a long time," he said. "The last few times were all losses. I want to win and I was a bit scrappy potting the last few reds.
On the prospect of facing O'Sullivan in the final, he added: "I like to play the greatest players of all time. I like to play players in good form and have tough matches. It helps improve my game.
"I’ve got a lot of supporters here. I’ll just do my best and make sure I give him another good game."
Trump reacts
“I just couldn’t really get going," the world number two said. "I think the first frame was important. I’ve started off well all week and had a great chance, but missed an easy ball and lost that frame.
"I just feel like when you miss easy balls, you always get punished. In the end, I think Ding missed less easy balls than me.
“I gave it my all. The concentration wasn’t quite where it normally is; I was just missing easy-ish balls.”
Result: Trump 4-6 Ding
A break of 84 gets Ding over the line and sends him through to his second successive UK Championship final - and fifth overall.
He will play Ronnie O'Sullivan in Sunday's showpiece.
Trump 4-5 Ding (31-60)
Ding punches the air as he gets to the snookers required stage. The crowd are also delighted for him as he completes his lap of honour.
Trump 4-5 Ding (31-1)
The chance goes begging for Trump, who misses a red to the left centre while awkwardly bridging over another.
Murmurs of 'Come on, Ding' echo around the venue as the three-time champion returns for a potential frame and match-winning opportunity.
Trump 4-5 Ding (9-1)
Following a scrappy start to the 10th frame, a loose safety by Ding allows Trump to pick out a brilliant red to the left centre.
Trump 4-5 Ding
Ding takes full advantage, brilliantly clearing with 88 to move within a frame of victory.
Trump 4-4 Ding (2-39)
A chance for Ding as Trump misses a tricky red to the right corner and leaves him an easy starter in baulk.
Trump 4-4 Ding (1-34)
Ding is in first, but breaks down on 26 after not connecting properly while using the extended spider.
He is soon back at the table after Trump misses a black off its spot, but then rattles a red in the jaws of the left corner.
Let the safety battle resume.
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Funny moment as crowd encourage Ding to take 'awkward' shot - which goes wrong
Trump 4-4 Ding
Anything Ding can do... Trump hits back with a century of his own. A break of 105 squares things up once more.
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Trump makes second century of semi-final to level against Ding
Trump 3-4 Ding (43-0)
A stunning long red presents Trump with a decent opportunity to respond. He is just a few more pots away from equalising.
Trump 3-4 Ding
Brilliant from Ding! The three-time UK champion ruthlessly clears with 110 to regain the lead.
Trump 3-3 Ding (17-0)
Trump responds by getting in first, but overcuts a thin black and cries of 'Come on, Ding' echo around the York Barbican.
Can he make the most of this?
Trump 3-3 Ding
A break of 77 is more than enough for Ding to bring us level for the third time.
Which way will this go?!
Trump 3-2 Ding (1-54)
Following a tactical battle, Trump is unlucky to see the long red he attempted land over the right corner and leave Ding an easy starter.
The Chinese is desperate to capitalise and closing in on the frame.
Trump 3-2 Ding (1-22)
Ding takes an early lead in the sixth frame. However, Trump brilliantly cuts in a long red before rolling up behind the yellow. There is pressure on Ding's escape here.
Trump 3-2 Ding
The Ace hits the ground running after the interval. In less than 10 minutes, a swift 124 puts him back in front.
Trump 2-2 Ding (52-0)
Trump is in and on his highest break of the match so far. Can he continue and kill off the frame?
The boys are back
The players return to the arena following the interval and we are off and running again at the York Barbican.
Trump 2-2 Ding
Both players have opportunities, but Ding takes his to square things up at the mid-session interval.
Trump 2-1 Ding (7-39)
Things have gone cagey with six reds remaining in this fourth frame. Ding is 32 points to the good, but there is still plenty of mileage.
Trump 2-1 Ding (0-38)
A magnificent opening red sees Ding manufacture an early opportunity. He gets to 38 before losing position while going into the pack, and is forced to play safe.
Trump 2-1 Ding
Despite Ding's best efforts, Trump eventually sees out the frame to complete the turnaround.
Trump 1-1 Ding (58-7)
A run of 33 puts the Ace at the snookers required stage.
Ding needs two of them, but will play on in an attempt to obtain them.
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'That's a big bonus!' - Trump pots two reds with one shot
Trump 1-1 Ding (41-0)
A poor safety from Ding presents Trump with another chance. What will he make of this one?
Trump 1-1 Ding (24-0)
Once again, Trump generates the first opportunity of the frame after another decent long red.
But again, he is unable to fully capitalise after missing the pink to the left centre.
Trump 1-1 Ding
A further run of 33 is more than enough for Trump to level this semi-final.
Trump 0-1 Ding (51-0)
The Ace breaks down on 50 after an attempted cannon into the reds does not quite work out.
Both players are trying not to twitch during the ongoing safety battle with 83 points still on the table.
Trump 0-1 Ding (16-0)
Trump has the first chance again in the second frame. Can he convert this opportunity?
Trump 0-1 Ding
Ding wins the tactical battle as Trump leaves the yellow on while escaping a snooker.
The three-time champion then clears to take the opening frame.
Trump 0-0 Ding (40-66)
A wonderful double gets Ding back in and he takes control of the frame with 60, but just runs out of position on the yellow and is forced to play safe.
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'So well judged' - Ding doubles red into middle pocket
Trump 0-0 Ding (40-6)
Ding cannot capitalise after missing a red to the right corner. A safety battle subsequently commences.
Trump 0-0 Ding (40-0)
A chance for Ding to counter! Trump breaks down on 36 after missing a routine black to the left corner. Can the three-time champion make him pay?
Trump 0-0 Ding (23-0)
Trump is in first after crunching in a cracking long red, which didn't even touch the sides on its way into the right corner pocket.
This is an early chance for the Ace to make a statement of intent.
Here we go
There is another brilliant atmosphere inside the York Barbican this evening as the players are welcomed into the arena.
They shake hands and we are under way.
Head to head
The 18th meeting between the players across all competitions - including the Championship League and Premier League - comes 18 years after their first.
Ironically, that came in the qualifying rounds for this event, with Ding prevailing a commanding 9-2 winner before going on to lift the trophy a few weeks later.
Welcome back
Good evening everyone and welcome back to tonight's coverage of the second semi-final at this year's UK Championship.
Judd Trump and Ding Junhui go head to head in a mouth-watering showdown, with Ronnie O'Sullivan awaiting the winner in Sunday's final.
More from the Rocket
"I’m looking forward to a break after this week. I don’t want to get to a point where I hit a bad spot. I’ll try to enjoy this tournament, probably miss Scotland and go to Macau at Christmas for a big event. I want to be ready for that.
"The most important tournaments for me are the ones where I have good relationships with the promoters. It’s not about how big the tournament is, it’s about how well you’re looked after. I just find in Asia and Thailand, we get looked after much better. I always prioritise those tournaments and just fit what I can in and around them.
"I’m not really bothered about missing too many of the leisure centre events because I don’t really like playing in them. If I do all right in the big events then I don’t need to play them. But if I don’t do so well, I can always nip down to Brentwood Leisure Centre and try to hit a few balls!"
"The secret is winning matches when you're not playing well"
O'Sullivan gave his thoughts after advancing to yet another final.
"It was acceptable and something to work with. The dynamic stuff wasn’t there, but it doesn’t have to be sometimes – steady is all right.
"I knew I had to play better, you expect that as the tournament goes on. In the earlier rounds, you can maybe get away with it. I’m searching for a game that’s going to be good enough to win me the tournament.
"It’s important to be able to win when you’re not playing well. I think that’s the only thing that’s missing from John Higgins’ game – he’s played some great games, but he’s just not winning when he’s struggling.
"I think the secret is winning matches when you’re not playing well, and just finding a way to get through. If you can win a few of those, you’ve got a chance of winning tournaments. I think that’s what I’ve been able to do for most of my career."
On Vafaei admitting he did not have the heart to play his idol, the Rocket added: "You’ve got to lose that really. I know what he means – sometimes, you go out there and sometimes you have too much respect – I used to have that with Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry. Sometimes, you’ve got to get over that and be clinical; you’re out there to do a job.
"He played strong in all his other matches, scoring well. He just didn’t bring that sort of game – from 2-0 to 2-2, he did. But after that, he missed a few. It made my job a little bit easier."
"Today was my worst day"
Vafaei was left disappointed with his performance today, admitting he struggled to produce the same performance levels as he did during his run to the semi-finals.
"Today was my worst day," he told Rachel Casey. "I don’t have that heart to play against my hero. There was something wrong with me today. At 2-2, all of a sudden my body felt so heavy, my eyes were so heavy as well. Maybe, somebody needed to give me a slap to wake me up!
"I lost to my hero. I think there was only man that could stop me in this tournament, and it was Ronnie O’Sullivan.
"I was a completely different person, to be honest. I wasn’t nervous at all. I was trying to give him a good game, but my game didn’t come out.
"When I look at my past, where I am standing right now shows how far I’ve come. I came so far and I’m so proud of myself."
On his relationship with O'Sullivan, he added: "There’s arguments in every family. We are like a snooker family. Sometimes, it’s good to have arguments because it makes the friendship stronger."
Result: O'Sullivan 6-2 Vafaei
O'Sullivan makes no mistake as he clears with 90 to wrap up a commanding victory.
He is through to his ninth UK Championship final - and his 30th in a Triple Crown event.
O'Sullivan 5-2 Vafaei (13-19)
A loose safety shot from Vafaei as he gets an untimely double-kiss on the red.
That leaves O'Sullivan with a decent opportunity to seal frame and match with this visit.
O'Sullivan 5-2 Vafaei (6-19)
Another opportunity goes begging for Vafaei after he misses a black off its spot once more.
But with the black covering the left corner, it is not overly detrimental at the moment.
O'Sullivan 5-2 Vafaei
The Rocket ruthlessly clears with 50 to move one frame away from securing a place in Sunday's final.
O'Sullivan 4-2 Vafaei (32-38)
Vafaei does well to edge his nose ahead in the frame. But he undoes all his hard work by missing a routine black off its spot.
His annoyance is evident as he returns to his seat.
O'Sullivan 4-2 Vafaei (32-1)
Another sublime long red gets O'Sullivan in once more.
However, he breaks down on 32 after overcutting a red to the left centre. These are the times when Vafaei must pounce.
O'Sullivan 4-2 Vafaei
A run of 30 is more than enough for the Rocket to make his opponent pay.
Having led 2-0 earlier on, he restores his two-frame buffer once more.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Vafaei (52-21)
The left centre is not kind to Vafaei again. A relatively straightforward red catches the far jaw as he was looking to counter.
O'Sullivan is back at the table with the chance to double his lead.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Vafaei (52-0)
O'Sullivan takes control with 52, but he will be disappointed not to have fully converted his opportunity after missing a red to the right centre.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Vafaei (12-0)
A loose safety from Vafaei sees him leave a red over the top left corner, giving O'Sullivan an easy starter.
The Rocket will be determined to punish his opponent.
O'Sullivan 3-2 Vafaei
The Rocket does not pass up this opportunity. A run of 60 sees out the frame and regains him the lead at 3-2.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Vafaei (35-0)
Both players miss similarly tight reds to the left centre. The second from Vafaei gives O'Sullivan a great chance to edge his nose back in front.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Vafaei (35-0)
O'Sullivan gets to 35 before overcutting a tight red to the left centre. A safety battle subsequently commences.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Vafaei (19-0)
A brilliant red to the top left corner gives the Rocket the first chance in this frame.
The balls are nicely positioned for him as well.
Off we go again
The players and referee Tatiana Woollaston return to the arena for the resumption of this tight semi-final.
O'Sullivan breaks off in frame five.
O'Sullivan 2-2 Vafaei
O'Sullivan has seen enough as he retrieves his cue case from under the table.
From 2-0 down, Vafaei heads into the interval level at 2-2.
O'Sullivan 2-1 Vafaei (14-60)
The Iranian takes control with a run of 47, before crunching in a brilliant long red to get to the snookers required stage.
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‘That’s a beauty’ - Vafaei fights back from two frames down to level against O’Sullivan
O'Sullivan 2-1 Vafaei (14-12)
It has been a scrappy start to the fourth frame by both players.
O'Sullivan has a chance, but rattles the yellow in the jaws of the left centre. Can Vafaei punish him?
"He's a bit like a mid-distance runner"
Here are Alan McManus' pre-match thoughts on O'Sullivan.
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O’Sullivan can finish ‘like a mid-distance runner’ but lacks consistency – McManus
O'Sullivan 2-1 Vafaei
Well played, Hossein Vafaei! His 12th century of the tournament - a break of 112 - gets his first frame on the board and gives O'Sullivan something to think about.
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Vafaei fights back against O'Sullivan with 12th UK Championship century - ‘A sparkling riposte’
O'Sullivan 2-0 Vafaei (0-51)
This is a good response from Vafaei, who floated in a lovely opening red and is looking good to halve the deficit.
O'Sullivan 2-0 Vafaei
A break of 113 - the 1,228th century of his illustrious career - doubles the Rocket's lead.
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‘Very strong start’ – O’Sullivan makes 26th century of the season against Vafaei
O'Sullivan 1-0 Vafaei (56-0)
O'Sullivan is on for a maximum after potting seven reds followed by blacks. However, he cannot get back to the black after splitting the pack nicely.
Nevertheless, you would fancy him to see out the frame from here.
O'Sullivan 1-0 Vafaei (25-0)
A wonderful long red puts O'Sullivan in at the start of the second frame.
There is a cluster of reds near the pink spot that need developing, but if anyone can...
O'Sullivan 1-0 Vafaei
The Rocket clears to the blue to draw first blood in this semi-final.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Vafaei (70-37)
O'Sullivan ties his opponent up in a snooker behind the yellow and blue and generates 14 penalty points.
Following another safety exchange, he knocks in the last red and that should see him take the opener.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Vafaei (55-33)
A run of 54 puts the Rocket 22 points to the good with the last two reds remaining.
A safety battle subsequently commences and it will be a matter of who blinks first from here.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Vafaei (1-33)
The Iranian has another chance to score well, but rattles a red in the jaws of the right corner.
Murmurs of 'Come on, Ronnie' can he heard as O'Sullivan returns to the table with work to do but, nevertheless, a chance to take the opening frame.
O'Sullivan 0-0 Vafaei (0-30)
Vafaei knocks in a brilliant long red to generate the first opportunity of the match, from which he makes 30 for an early lead.
Here we go
There is a tremendous atmosphere as the two players are introduced into the arena.
Vafaei is gearing up for his first Triple Crown semi-final - and what he hopes will be the first of many.
Meanwhile, O'Sullivan is appearing in the last four of this event for the 12th time. The Rocket has gone on to lift the trophy in seven of his previous 11 appearances at this stage.
Rivalry renewed
O'Sullivan's previous meeting with Vafaei was a real grudge match at the World Championship earlier this year, with the Rocket inflicting a 13-2 rout on the Prince of Persia.
Although, the pair appeared to settle their differences when they embraced following the conclusion of that contest.
Good afternoon
Hello everyone and welcome to live coverage of Semi-Final Saturday at the UK Championship. There are two mouth-watering ties to look forward to today at the York Barbican.
First, Ronnie O'Sullivan takes on Hossein Vafaei this afternoon, before Judd Trump does battle with Ding Junhui later on.
O'Sullivan wary of Vafaei threat - 'If I go missing I'll get beat'
Ronnie O'Sullivan says he will be looking to "keep up" with Hossein Vafaei when the pair meet in the UK Championship semi-finals.
O'Sullivan edged past Zhou Yuelong 6-5 to reach the semi-finals of the UK Championship as he bids to win the competition for a record-extending eighth time.
He will meet Iran's Hossein Vafaei in the final four after he beat Zhang Anda 6-4 in Friday's other afternoon quarter-final.
Vafaei will be making his debut in a semi-final of a Triple Crown event, but O'Sullivan insists he will not underestimate his opponent.
The pair have some history after Vafaei claimed he wanted to "shut" O'Sullivan up ahead of their World Championship match earlier this year, which The Rocket won 13-2.
"I'm going to try and keep up with him," the world No. 1 told Eurosport.
"He's playing really well, scored well last night. It was a different match today against Anda he was playing a winner. Proper player.
"For him to win that is a proper win. I'm going to have to play well for 70-80% of the match to have a chance. If I go missing like I did today I'll get beat, he's playing too well for that."
Read O'Sullivan's full thoughts here.
'Maybe it's good I'm ill' - Trump on why he's in a 'bad mood' despite reaching semi-finals
Judd Trump says he has still been feeling ill despite producing an excellent performance to beat Mark Selby 6-3 at the UK Championship.
Trump recorded his 1,000th career win and it came against 'The Jester from Leicester' on Friday evening to book his place in the semi-finals for only the fourth time in his decorated career where he will face Ding Junhui.
'The Juddernaut' held a commanding 5-1 lead before Selby pulled two frames and looked set to mount a comeback, but the four-time world champion could not stop Trump from sealing the win at the Barbican in York.
Speaking to Eurosport after the match, Trump said he felt frustrated throughout the contest which was mostly due to him feeling under the weather.
"It's obviously a good win," he said in the Eurosport studio.
"I don't feel great in this moment in time, I'm just happy to get over the line. I'm still struggling [with illness].
"I'm in a bit of a bad mood really, I was going through the motions a little bit, just trying to do what I could. I was hoping Mark would miss a little bit to give me a chance."
Read the full interview here.
UK Championship schedule, Saturday, December 2
1pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Hossein Vafaei
7pm
Ding Junhui v Judd Trump
- -
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