World Championship: Hossein Vafaei sets up Ronnie O'Sullivan showdown after fine display to beat Ding Junhui
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ByEurosport
Updated 17/04/2023 at 11:41 GMT
Hossein Vafaei started the session with breaks of 117 and 122 and came back from 5-4 down to beat China's Ding Junhui 10-6 in one of the most impressive performances seen so far at this year's World Championship in Sheffield. Vafaei had never won a match at the Crucible before this year, but he will be one to watch after a flawless performance to set up a meeting with Ronnie O'Sullivan.
‘He could have taken it as an insult’ - Vafaei under scrutiny for ‘unwise’ 147 decision
Hossein Vafaei produced the first Crucible victory of his career with a 10-6 win over world No. 16 Ding Junhui to progress to the second round.
Vafaei will play defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan next. The pair have engaged in a verbal battle in the last year with Vafaei telling O'Sullivan to retire for being "disrespectful".
Vafaei claimed seven-time world champion O'Sullivan was "not good for the game" and questioned "what has he done for the sport?"
O'Sullivan appeared to be relishing the prospect of a showdown with Vafaei after his first-round win at the Crucible as he warned "don't rattle my cage".
Against Ding, Vafaei began the session 5-4 down but he stylishly reeled off four frames in a row to take a commanding lead.
The Iranian got off to the perfect start with a break of 117 before following up with another ton to take a 6-5 lead. He made it three in a row thanks to a run of 68.
However, when on for a 147 in the next frame he took on an “unwise” shot that Neal Foulds suggested could have represented an “insult” to Ding.
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‘Don’t rattle my cage’ – O’Sullivan warns rivals he ‘loves it’ when he’s criticised
Nevertheless, Vafaei continued his spectacular performance by going into an 8-5 lead at the interval with a half century.
Ding left Vafaei needing three snookers after missing a red to the yellow on 77, but he quickly conceded and the Chinese player got his first frame of the day.
But Vafaei continued to play some of his best snooker, producing a break of 89 after starting it with a fine plant into the middle pocket to move to within one frame of the next round.
Vafaei held his nerve to seal his maiden Crucible victory in the next frame.
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