Ding loses but plays to maximum as O’Sullivan comes up short

Ding Junhui recorded a maximum 147 at the Welsh Open yesterday, just four days after Ronnie O’Sullivan had turned down the chance to do likewise because he felt the prize money on offer in Cardiff was not worth the effort.

Chinese player Ding landed the £10,000 reward by producing his sixth 147 in his quarter-final 5-2 defeat by Neil Robertson. That cash prize might have been taken by O’Sullivan on the event’s first day, yet he elected to pot the pink, rather than a makeable black en route to a 146, because he thought the fund was “too cheap”.

O’Sullivan tried to play down the controversy, claiming he was only “having a bit of fun” but then revealed he had to tried to emulate Ding’s achievement in his 5-1 last-eight win against Mark Selby after the promise of a bigger bonus from a bookmaker this week. Asked about Ding’s 147, O’Sullivan joked: “I just thought he’s let the ladsdown, hasn’t he! Dinggot it andit’s fantastic. At least they’ve had a 147 this week . . . and a 146.”

O’Sullivan’s quest to make the day’s second maximum fell short when he missed a black having made 57 in the third frame against Selby. He said: “I was going for it, 100%, but I twitched on the black.”

Ding was eyeing up a 147 early on after seeing the position of the reds. He said: “The reds were looking good. I like to beat the records every time I play.”

Robertson and O'Sullivan were joined in the semis by Mark Allen and Joe Perry. Allen will play Robertson after beating Michael White 5-0, while Perry will meet O’Sullivan after overcoming Ben Woollaston 5-1.

Ding Junhui: Recorded a 147 break for £10,000