The 2023 UK Championship was performed on the Barbican in York, England, from 25 November to three December 2023. Mark Allen was the defending champion.
This event is performed beneath a tiered system and of the 4 Grove gamers, solely Ding needed to qualify, which he did by beating Daniel Wells (6-4) and Robbie Williams (6-3).
Neil Robertson fell on the first hurdle, dropping to Zhou Yuelong by 6-2.
Luca Brecel went one spherical additional, however misplaced to Zhang Anda, by 6-4, within the spherical of 16.
Mark Selby reached the quarter-finals the place he misplaced by 6-3 to Judd Trump.
“Qualifier” Ding Junhui although carried out brilliantly and reached the ultimate. He beat the defending Champion, Mark Allen, by 6-5 within the spherical of 32. He then received the higher of Tom Ford within the spherical of 16 (6-3). Within the quarter-finals, he met Mark Williams. The match went to a deciding body and Ding emerged because the winner. Throughout that match, they set a brand new report. Certainly, in body 8, they scored 195 factors between them as Williams gained it by 101-94. The earlier report was 192. Subsequent up for Ding was Judd Trump, the person of the season up to now. Trump had already gained three occasions this season however got here second greatest towards Ding who beat him by 6-4 within the semi-finals.
Ronnie O’Sullivan was ready for Ding within the Closing and so they served the followers an important match performed in wonderful spirit. Ronnie gained it by 10-7, securing his eighth UK Championship title, 30 years after his first.
The 2 are shut mates and Ronnie was filled with reward for Ding after the match:
“It was an honour to play Ding. He’s such an aesthetic participant and such an aesthetic man. To share the desk with him in that venue and in that remaining was an honour. I do know there may have been so many individuals in China watching that remaining supporting Ding and supporting me as nicely. We’ve placed on present.
Ding was extraordinarily gracious as all the time. He declared:
“It was an excellent week. I knew it was going to be very robust tonight. I missed a few pictures to win frames within the first session. I attempted to get extra factors and battle to win a body then get one other and see what occurs. To be 4-4 was not too unhealthy however he performed higher tonight.
“I’ve actually taken the gang right here to coronary heart. Thanks for the assist each sport. I like enjoying right here.”
supply of the quotes: WST report on the ultimate.