Fu and Ding set for epic battle
It will be an 'all-China' affair when Marco Fu Ka-chun takes on giant-killer Ding Junhui in the quarter-finals of the British Masters - the game's most prestigious invitation tournament - at Wembley Arena today.
Mainland number one Ding, last year's runner-up, defeated world champion John Higgins of Scotland 6-4 to book his place in the last eight. He will start as the clear favourite over Hong Kong's Fu.
'It was difficult to win and it has helped to forget about last year's final,' Ding was quoted as saying on the World Snooker website. 'I played OK but I wasn't very confident on the pressure balls. Beating John is good for my confidence and I want to win this tournament.'
Higgins led the high-quality match 3-1 before 20-year-old Ding fought back to level at 4-4, including a 135-clearance in the sixth frame which put him in line for the high break prize of #10,000 (HK$153,000).
The Scot accidentally potted the last red in frame nine to allow Ding to take a 5-4 lead and the Chinese star wrapped the match up when he clinched frame 10 on the colours.
'It's the kind of result I've been looking for in a big match,' said Ding. 'I didn't want to lose in round one after doing well last year.'
Fu, who is on top form, will be hard-pressed to defeat an opponent who has got the better of him on most occasions, including at the last two Asian Games in Pusan and Doha.
The Hong Kong star is ranked 13th, with Ding above him in eighth. But having defeated six-time world champion Steve Davis and Aussie world number six Neil Robertson to reach the quarter-finals, Fu is riding on a wave of confidence.