Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui became the first player from his country to reach the world championship semi--finals in Sheffield, England, on Wednesday as he repelled a late comeback by England’s Mark Selby to run out a 13-10 winner.
The 24-year-old — winner of the UK Championship and Masters events in his career, but who has previously struggled in his adopted home city of Sheffield — was to play the surprise package of the tournament English youngster and recent China Open winner Jay Trump in yesterday’s semi-finals.
Ding admitted to being relieved to have fought off the tenacious Selby, who eliminated Stephen Hendry in the previous round.
“It was a big match tonight and when it got to 10-10, I thought I was gone,” Ding said. “But I told myself to keep strong, The 21st frame was vital and when I won it, it heaped the pressure back on him.”
The other semi-final pitches two-time winner Mark Williams of Wales against Scotland’s three-time champion John Higgins, who ended three time champion Ronnie “Rocket” O’Sullivan’s interest in the tournament with a 13-10 victory on Wednesday.
Williams has won both their previous encounters in world championship semi--finals, but Higgins will be extra motivated as this time last year he had been provisionally suspended for matchfixing allegations, of which he was found innocent after an investigation.
The Greek basketball league finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos were suspended by the government on Monday following on-court scuffles involving rival security teams. The best-of-five series is at 1-1. The third game, scheduled for today, has been postponed. The owners of both clubs were summoned to meet with the country’s sports minister. They “will be asked to provide explicit guarantees that this situation will be brought to an end. If not, this year’s championship will be definitively canceled,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. “There can be no tolerance for such pathological phenomena of violence and delinquency.” In online posts, the owners of Panathinaikos and
The Crusaders yesterday produced a clinical performance in difficult conditions to beat the Queensland Reds 32-12 and claim home advantage in next week’s Super Rugby semi-finals. Lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams scored first-half tries to reward an outstanding performance from the Crusaders’ forwards in wet, slippery conditions and bitterly cold temperatures. Scrumhalf Noah Hotham defied the conditions in the second half to score a superb solo try and, after kicking a conversion and penalty to make the score 22-0 at the hour mark, flyhalf Rivez Reihana scored a try which took the game beyond the Reds. “Typical Christchurch weather, cold, wet
Ryan Yarbrough picked up a dazzling World Series ring from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Then he went out and beat them. The New York Yankees starter on Sunday pitched one-run ball over six innings, struck out a season-high five and blanked the Dodgers’ top four hitters in a 7-3 win. “I feel like I’m in a really good place right now and really trying to continue that,” Yarbrough said. “I’m having a lot of fun.” The 33-year-old left-hander made 44 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays last season. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July
Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled on Thursday as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart, Germany, to set up a UEFA Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace, while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France’s makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the score sheet for the UEFA Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France’s three late goals — a
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