Ding Junhui (R) of China competes during the third session of the semifinal with Alan McManus of Scotland at the World Snooker Championship 2016 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England on April 29, 2016. Ding led 14-10 after the third session. Ding Junhui equalled the record for centuries scored by one player in a World Championship match as his sixth ton helped build a 14-10 lead over Alan McManus in an enthralling semifinal.The pair set a new record of nine tons in a World Championship match.(Photo: Xinhua/Han Yan)
China's Ding Junhui took a dominant lead of 14-10 over Scotish veteran Alan McManus and is only three frames away from becoming the first Asian player to reach the world championship final here on Friday.
The two players have collected nine century breaks in 24 frames, setting a new record for any match at the Crucible. Ding alone has had six tons, matching the record held by Mark Selby and Ronnie O' Sullivan.
The 29-year-old Ding, who lost his only previous world championship semifinal 17-15 against Judd Trump in 2011, led 6-2 overnight but met fierce challenge in the second session from the 45-year-old McManus, who won five of the eight frames to make it 9-7.
Ding recovered to end the evening session back in control but messed up a 147 chance after potting the 15th red in the 20th frame.
In the afternoon's semifinal, Marco Fu of Hong Kong, China came from 5-3 down to draw level with Mark Selby at 8-8.
The semifinals will finish on Saturday and the winner will be decided on Sunday.
