'Embarrassment' for Ding Junhui as free-ball drama ensues after comical miscue against Zhao Xintong at World Championship - 'Oh dear!'

React to this story

Ding Junhui had his hand on his head, exasperated, after a critical error allowed Zhao Xintong to level their World Championship second-round battle at the Crucible.

'Oh dear' - Ding has head in hands after leaving free ball with comical foul

Video credit: TNT Sports

The highly-anticipated second-round match pitted China's snooker pioneer Ding against the nation's generational talent - reigning world champion Zhao - and it lived up to the lofty expectations.

They finished Friday afternoon locked level at 4-4 in a fiercely competitive session which saw them trade blow-for-blow, and the proceedings were not without drama.

Zhao struggled to settle into the match and surrendered the opening frame, but roared back to level with a break of 64, before Ding re-established his lead with a sublime 81.

Shanghai Masters

Wilson to renew rivalry with Trump in final after beating Zhao in thriller

01/08/2026 at 16:06

And The Dragon looked to open up a healthier lead, until he was hit with a damaging blow at the start of the fourth frame, while 1-0 down.

With the cue ball along baulk and aiming at the pack of reds at the top of the table, Ding suffered a horrendous miscue, which saw the cue ball dribble a matter of inches forward.

"Oh dear Ding!" Dave Hendon exclaimed on TNT Sports' commentary.

'Just so good' - Zhao pots two reds and finds position with stunning shot

Video credit: TNT Sports

The veteran Chinese star immediately draped his hand across his head in disbelief, and seemingly in recognition that the mistake was far more damaging than it had initially seemed.

"Is that a free ball? That’s what he’s worried about," Joe Johnson said.

"The face started to change there didn’t it, he was smiling because of the miscue, but then has he left a free ball?"

Hendon intervened: "He can live with the embarrassment, as long as he hasn’t actually left a free ball. Tatiana Woollaston having a good look."

Woollaston did not take long deliberating before deciding that Zhao would be inheriting a free ball situation. And it soon became apparent that Ding's gaffe would be a frame-deciding one.

Zhao immediately potted the brown and played down to the black, an ambitious move which was lauded by Johnson on commentary.

"How many players would have played that shot?" Johnson asked. "Especially when it was so easy to play for blue. This has got him in, at this end of the table."

And it proved a fruitful move, as Zhao continued his visit with an expertly-taken break of 116 - the highest of the opening session - to level the match as 2-2 before the interval.

There was a nonchalant energy to the world champion as he strolled around the table, picking off balls at ease. And as he passed the 100 mark for his fourth century at the Crucible so far this year, Hendon reflected on the impressive manner in which he punished Ding's earlier mistake.

"The miscue, at first you think it’s quite innocuous, but it wasn’t," Hendon said. "It was a free ball, only just, and Zhao Xintong has made full use of this chance.

"Like all the great players, he makes something very difficult look ridiculously easy. Sauntering around the table, knocking balls in, under what is supposed to be intense pressure."