Ding out of worlds after collapse

SHEFFIELD - Agence France-Presse

Ding leaves his legion of fans in disappointment after dramatic defeat.

China’s Ding Junhui suffered a shock first round loss in the World Championships when on the brink of victory as Ryan Day staged a remarkable recovery at the Crucible Theatre yesterday. 

At 9-6 up, Ding was just one frame away from going through to the last 16. But his Welsh opponent reeled off four straight frames for a 10-9 win.

Even in the deciding frame Ding, twice a winner of the UK Championship had the first chance. But the Sheffield-based 25-year-old, who’d earlier won five frames in a row to go 9-6 in front, missed a red with a rest after making 48. That error let in Day and he responded with a match-winning break of 64.

Reigning champion John Higgins said before the tournament he would be “flabbergasted” if Ding never won the World Championship.

Earlier, former champion Graeme Dott was left contemplating a “nightmare” 10-1 defeat by Joe Perry. 
“If there was ever a nightmare in snooker, that was it,” Dott said. 

“I don’t feel I can turn it around just now. I feel as if I need to chuck it if I’m playing as bad as that.”