Based on the run-up to the final, and especially considering how each semi-final was played out, it might have been expected that Ding Junhui, the first player from Asia to contest a world snooker final, would end up in front. However, it has been Mark Selby who has dominated the early exchanges.
The English player won the opening frame with a clearance of 91, to take the frame 125 points to 8. It seemed as if Ding would win the second frame after compiling a break of 52. However Selby clinched the frame on the black, squeezing by with the narrowest of margins – 70 points to 68. Selby then took the third frame with a break of 76 and secured the fourth frame with a superb break of 120.
After the mid-session interval Selby’s strong showing continued and he won the fifth frame with a break of 70 and did not allow his Chinese opponent to pot a ball. Selby then added the sixth frame to this tally, winning it 77 points to 38. Ding had a good chance to win the frame but his break of 38 came to a premature end, then a loose safety let Selby in for a winning 41 break.
Facing an opening session whitewash, Ding managed to win the final frame of the session, relying on a more tactical game rather than the out-and-out potting he showed in his semi-final match against Alan McManus, where he made seven century breaks. Ding edged the game on the colors at won it 68-47. Selby had his chance to win the frame and secure a 7-0 lead, but a loose safety shot on the final blue, where he sent the object ball running towards the top pocket, cost him.
Ding then won the eighth frame with more certainty, making a break of 31 followed by a run of 41. He will go into the second session behind 6 frames to 2.
The frame scores for the session were (Ding first):
8-125 (91), 68-70 (DJ 52), 43-101 (76), 0-124 (120), 0-100 (70), 38-77, 68-47, 107-14
The winner not only receives the honor of winning the toughest snooker tournament on the circuit, but also a first prize of £330,000 ($482,000). The runner-up makes do with £137,000 ($200,000).
