Ding Junhui will face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals of the Masters after a thrilling 6-5 victory over Luca Brecel at Alexandra Palace.
O'Sullivan was made to work hard by Ryan Day in a match that seemed set for a nervy finish when Day appeared certain to draw level at 4-4, only for a missed red to turn the clash on its head and allow the seven-times Masters champion to finish with a typical flourish.
The Rocket quickly stamped his authority on proceedings when taking the opening frame with a run of 68 but Day played his part in what was an engrossing watch and put together breaks of 54 and 68 to win the next two.
😲 How about that?!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) January 17, 2019
Huge slice of luck for Ryan Day against Ronnie O'Sullivan. 1-1.#DafabetMasters pic.twitter.com/Qn9jKYQ4LE
O'Sullivan ensured the scores were level at the mid-session interval when dominating frame four with breaks of 74 and 52 and he got himself back in front by stroking in a fabulous 119 upon the resumption.
Day came straight back, though, a break of 77 levelling the scores once again at 3-3.
However, after O'Sullivan led again at 4-3 courtesy of a break 65, Day squandered a golden opportunity to draw level at 4-4.
With a 66-point lead and O'Sullivan firmly on the back foot, Day attempted and missed a tricky pot to middle when putting a red safe looked the percentage call and O'Sullivan duly stepped in, clearing up with a nerveless 78 that knocked the stuffing out of his opponent.
If that was the sucker punch, O'Sullivan wasted little time in landing the knockout blow, a break of 92 failing short of another century but more than enough to seal his place in the last four.
No century but @ronnieo147 is through to the semi-final!
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 17, 2019
The seven-time champion is on 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0OoEFKRmjh
Luca Brecel 5-6 Ding Junhui
Brecel led five times but Ding hit back on each occasion, aided by breaks of 125 in the second frame and 105 in the eighth.
Ding even forfeited a frame at 4-4 after being called for a miss three times in a row when trying to roll up against a few reds dead weight when there were simpler shots available.
Despite going 5-4 behind, Ding managed to level again to force a final frame decider for the prize of facing O'Sullivan in the semis.
In the decider, Brecel had the table at his mercy but missed a crucial easy red into a middle pocket and Ding inflicted full punishment with a match-clinching break of 65 - the only time he had led in the match.
It was the first time the Chinese player had reached the last four since he won the tournament in 2011.
🤦♂️ What a way to lose a frame!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) January 17, 2019
😳 Ding Junhui forfeits a frame after three misses in a row
😱 Surely you make sure you hit the balls this time - it's a Masters quarter-final!#Masters pic.twitter.com/KXhBFzOWfM
Thursday results and schedule
Thursday January 17
Afternoon Session (1300 - BBC/Eurosport)
- QF2: Ryan Day 3-6 Ronnie O'Sullivan
Thursday January 17
Evening Session (1900 - BBC/Eurosport)
- QF1: Luca Brecel 5-6 Ding Junhui
