The 2025 Hangzhou CBSA Snooker Superstar Invitational featured an intense showdown between world number one Trump and China's top-ranked player Ding Junhui. This match was not only a battle between two top players but also a dual test of technique and psychology.
At the start of the game, Trump displayed his competitive prowess with consecutive scores of 63, 60, and 99 points, securing three straight victories for a commanding 3-0 lead. At this point, Ding Junhui seemed to have not fully entered the game, making frequent mistakes that gave his opponent numerous opportunities.
Before the intermission, Ding finally seized an opportunity, scoring 90 points to win a set and narrow the gap to 1-3, preserving a glimmer of hope for the second half of the game.
The fifth set of the second half became a turning point in the match. In this set, Trump achieved a remarkable feat by scoring a perfect 147 points, earning him thunderous applause from the audience and adding a highlight to the game. At this moment, Trump had multiple match points with a total score of 4-1, and almost everyone believed victory was assured.
However, the charm of snooker lies in its unpredictability, and the subsequent course of the game caught everyone off guard.
Facing such a severe situation, Ding did not give up. In the sixth set, he successfully scored a point by fighting through the long table, saving a match point. In the following seventh set, Ding made several attempts and ultimately won another set with a score of 76-36, bringing the tally to 3-4. By the eighth set, Ding had completely regained his touch, blasting a century break of 108 points to drag the game into a decider.
In the decisive set, Ding continued his fiery form, blasting another century break of 113 points to secure victory, achieving the feat of reversing a 1-4 deficit to a 5-4 comeback kill.
This series of performances demonstrated that Ding not only possesses excellent skills but also has an indomitable spirit. This victory is of great significance to Ding, not only affirming his personal abilities but also providing a significant boost to the development of Chinese snooker.
Earlier on the same day, another match was equally thrilling. Xiao Guodong also completed a remarkable comeback from 1-3 to 5-3 against Mark Williams, scoring a perfect 147 in the eighth set.
This means that within the same competition day, two Chinese players successively scored two maximum breaks of 147, creating a miraculous moment in snooker history. Such achievements not only showcase the strength of Chinese players but also provide a visual feast for global fans.
Looking back on the entire process, after suffering a crushing 1-5 defeat at the Macau Invitational, Ding experienced a brief low period. However, his performance at the Hangzhou Invitational undoubtedly marked an important sign of his recovery.
Despite fluctuations in his form over the past few years, Ding has never given up pursuing higher goals. This time, his reversal and killing of Trump not only avenged a previous defeat but also instilled confidence for future matches.
As the season progresses, we believe Ding will continue to bring us more surprises. Let's wait and see!