Ding edges out under-prepared Robertson - 03/11/2011

Ding Junhui 3-2 Neil Robertson
72-59 (Ding 36, Robertson 38), 61-14 (Ding 61), 17-72 (Robertson 66), 46-70 (Ding 39, Robertson 55), 100-7 (Ding 42, 58)

DING Junhui secured a final against Ronnie O'Sullivan after edging out Neil Robertson in the second semi-final of event eight.

Robertson took five hours to reach the Guildhall in Southampton from his home in Cambridgeshire and did not have time to practice on the table before the match.

Ding Junhui. Picture - Lawrence Lustig

Unsurprisingly, Ding took the opener, although it was not easy as he made a break of 36 before Robertson responded with 38. But the Australian underhit a positional shot going for the yellow and Ding left him in a tricky snooker before winning the frame by a 13-point margin.

There was a slight delay in the second as a woman fell ill, but after receiving medical attention, was soon alright and recovering in the green room. That happened at the start of the second frame and when play resumed Robertson had a chance. However, he missed a straight-forward short red with the rest and Ding's 61 moved him 2-0 in front.

The third frame was a messy one after an early rash shot from robertson. Ding could not take advantage and Robertson, after a lengthy safety battle, scored 66 to pull a frame back.

Ding should have won 3-1 but missed a routine brown off the spot after Robertson had earlier scored 55 and Ding was on a break of 39. That miss proved costly as Robertson won the frame to force the second shootout of the evening.

In the decider Ding made 42 but left Robertson three minutes and 45 seconds to better it. However, Robertson could only get seven and Ding completed the win with another break of 58, including a one-handed pot on the yellow.