The 2024 Worldwide Championship closing might be contested between Ding Junhui and Chris Wakelin in Nanjing on Sunday.
The eighth rating title of the 2024/25 snooker season is up for grabs with £175,000 going to the winner on the SNC Nationwide Health Middle.
Ding Junhui fought his method again from 5-2 behind to beat fellow Chinese language cueist Xu Si 9-6 in Saturday’s second semi-final.
It takes the 37 year-old by a twenty fourth profession rating closing as he chases an overdue fifteenth crown at this stage and a primary since rising with the 2019 UK Championship trophy.
Along with his higher total expertise at this stage of tournaments, Ding will clearly go into the Worldwide Championship because the slight favorite for glory.
Nevertheless it has been a very long time for the reason that former world primary has etched his title onto silverware, and he’ll seemingly really feel the stress in entrance of his residence followers too.
Wakelin has represented a markedly improved participant over the course of the final couple of seasons, notably since claiming the Snooker Shoot Out title in early 2023.
The 32 year-old was thought-about a little bit of journeyman earlier than that breakthrough second, however since then he has established himself as a constant performer.
Certainly, by beating Xiao Guodong 9-8 in Friday’s first semi-final, it’s already assured that Wakelin will enter the highest 16 of the world rankings for the primary time in his profession.
The Englishman, who counted Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, and John Higgins amongst his earlier conquests this week, will look to substantiate that enchancment with a second rating title and a decidedly extra prestigious one than the Shoot Out.
Ding and Wakelin have clashed solely twice earlier than on the World Snooker Tour, with honours even and one victory apiece.
Their most up-to-date conflict got here on this season’s Wuhan Open the place Wakelin compiled a hat-trick of century breaks to say a 5-3 triumph within the final 16.
If both participant can produce that sort of stage on this Worldwide Championship closing, he’ll show tough to beat.
Moreover on the road is a spot in subsequent week’s Champion of Champions draw, whereas the mammoth champion’s cheque would virtually assure qualification for the three profitable Gamers Collection occasions later within the season.
Loads to play for then in what guarantees to be an interesting finale to the week’s motion in China.
Stay protection of the Worldwide Championship closing is on the market for UK and Irish viewers on discovery+ and Eurosport.
The periods start at 6am and 11:30am UTC.
Featured photograph credit score: WST
