November 10th 2024.
Ding Junhui and Chris Wakelin battled it out in a thrilling final at the International Championship, with Ding eventually emerging as the champion. The victory marked Ding's first ranking title in nearly five years, much to the delight of his fans in Nanjing. It was also his first title on home soil since the 2017 World Open and his first anywhere since the 2019 UK Championship. The prestigious event offered a whopping £175,000 to the winner, making it a significant milestone for Ding.
Despite falling short against the Chinese legend, Wakelin had a fantastic week and earned the biggest financial reward of his career so far with a runner-up spot worth £75,000. The Englishman also climbed into the world's top 16 for the first time, securing a seeded spot in the upcoming UK Championship. However, it was Ding who lifted the brilliant trophy and claimed his 15th ranking title, solidifying his position as the ninth-highest ranking event winner.
The final started off with Wakelin taking an early lead of 4-1 with four half-century breaks, showing no signs of nerves in the biggest match of his career. But Ding, with his experience, quickly turned things around and won the next six frames to end the first session with a 5-4 lead. He continued his momentum into the second session, but Wakelin fought back with breaks of 82 and 89 to make it 7-6. However, Ding's consistent performance, including breaks of 98 and 72, brought him to the brink of victory, which he ultimately sealed in the 17th frame.
Reflecting on the final, Wakelin said, "I got off to a great start, then losing six frames on the trot was the difference between winning and losing today. But I managed to get myself back into the match and I was really proud of how I handled myself." He also expressed his confidence in his abilities and aspirations to win such a prestigious title one day.
In the earlier rounds, Ding dominated his opponents with ease, losing only one frame in his first five matches against Reanne Evans, Martin O'Donnell, and Hossein Vafaei. He faced a tougher challenge in the later rounds, defeating Chinese teenager Jiang Jun and world champion Kyren Wilson. Meanwhile, Wakelin's journey to the final included a walkover in his opening match and impressive victories over top players such as Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, and John Higgins.
In the end, Ding's consistency and experience proved to be the difference as he lifted the International Championship trophy for the second time in his career. It was a remarkable achievement for both players, with Ding ending his title drought and Wakelin making his mark on the world stage. The final was a testament to the talent and determination of both players, making it a memorable event for all snooker fans.
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