Cardiff Max For Ding Junhui

Ding Junhui today became the first player to make a maximum break in Cardiff since 1999 during his last eight encounter with Neil Robertson at the BetVictor Welsh Open.

Trailing 4-1 at the time, Ding completed a difficult clearance on the colours to rapturous applause from the Welsh crowd. His break eclipses the previous tournament high break of 146 set by Ronnie O’Sullivan on Monday and moves the Chinese number one in line to take home the rolling maximum prize of £10,000, in addition to the £2,000 high break prize.

The break was the sixth maximum of Ding’s professional career, a total surpassed only by Ronnie O’Sullivan (13), Stephen Hendry (11) and John Higgins (7).

It was also the 117th maximum in professional competition and the sixth 147 to have been made in Welsh Open history, the last coming against Ding himself back in the 2014 final by O’Sullivan.

The break was officiated by Brendan Moore, the fourth time that the Sheffield referee has presided over a competitive maximum.

Unfortunately for Ding however, the break was not enough to turn the match in his favour, Robertson securing a 5-2 victory in the next frame.