Wilson beats Ding to meet Serby in China Open final

Ding Junhui plays against Gary Wilson in the semifinal of the 2015 World Snooker China Open in Beijing, April 4, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Gary Wilson beat Ding Junhui 6-5 in the semifinal of the China Open snooker tournament on Saturday, and will meet Mark Serby in Sunday's final.

After upsetting world No 5 Barry Hawkins in Saturday's quarters, Wilson took the initial lead 84-4 in the first frame of the semis. Yet, the local favorite defending champion showed his prowess by winning three frames in a row for 3-1 in the best-of-11 semi.

Back from a half break, Wilson took four straight frames to overthrow the table and was just one frame away from the final. Ding then hit a 97-point and a 72-point break respectively to force the decider.