In a gripping opening match of the UK Snooker Championship in York, Ding Junhui defied illness to secure a thrilling final-frame victory over defending champion Mark Allen on Saturday.

Ding, a former three-time winner, revealed that he contemplated withdrawing from the tournament on Saturday morning due to a high temperature and dizziness. Despite the health setbacks, Ding fought back from a 4-2 deficit, eventually sealing a 6-5 win with a nerveless 102 clearance. This victory marked a redemption for Ding after losing to Allen in last year’s final.

“In the morning, I thought about pulling out because I couldn’t get out of bed. My temperature was up to 39, and I couldn’t walk straight,” Ding shared. “But I think I wanted to play because I am here for the tournament, so I will just try to play well.”

Ding’s relationship with the UK Snooker Championship has been remarkable, starting in 2005 when he became the first overseas winner of the championship. The slow-starting match against Allen eventually ignited, with both players making mistakes early on. However, Ding’s counter-attacking style, drawing on his UK experience, led to a stunning comeback.

Despite Allen’s hard-fought efforts, including a decisive break of 70 in the penultimate frame, Ding held his nerves in the final frame, securing a century break to advance to the last 16. Allen expressed his frustration at letting the match slip away, emphasizing his control throughout most of the game.

In another match, Mark Williams secured a 6-4 victory over Fan Zhengyi, joining Ding in the last 16. Williams acknowledged his struggles but is determined to overcome past mishaps in the UK Snooker Championship.

Seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to face Anthony McGill in a challenging opener on Tuesday, marking a rematch of their epic clash in the 2021 World Championship.