Snooker: Ding Junhui v Mark Selby - World Championship final lowdown

Which player is in better form going into the final?

Ding has definitely been the more impressive of the two players at the tournament so far.

The Chinese star was in simply wonderful form during his semi-final against Alan McManus. In the end, he made a remarkable seven centuries against the Scot, setting a new record for a single match at the Crucible.

If Selby wants to celebrate come Monday night, he might well have to play out of his skin. To this point he’s only brought his B game to the table.

But Ding will know all too well that he’s taking on possibly the grittiest player in the sport. Selby has again shown his prolific fighting instincts over the past fortnight, predominantly against Sam Baird in the second round and then Marco Fu in that titanic semi-final.

After the win over Fu, Selby said: ‘For three sessions I was really poor and more or less hanging on to Marco’s coat-tails. I need to play better than that. I definitely need to up my game.’

Ding seemed keen to play down his achievements after sealing victory over McManus, saying: ‘I feel normal. The tournament hasn’t finished yet. I want to keep focused. I am confident to play anybody.’

Ding produces the goods at the Crucible at last

Ding is undoubtedly one of the finest players of his generation, and for the most part his CV backs that prodigious talent up.

A winner of 11 ranking events, including two UK Championship titles and one Masters crown, Ding has clearly been one of the sport’s finest performers over the past decade.

But there has been one major blip for the 29-year-old - his performances at snooker’s biggest event. In nine previous Crucible campaigns, Ding only once reached the last four. That, frankly, is a poor return.

The thing is nobody can really work out why - his consistent underachieving in Sheffield has had pundits and fans alike scratching their heads. Perhaps the answer this time has simply been that he had to come through qualifying.

As the world No.17, Ding had to win three matches down the road at Ponds Forge just to reach this tournament. After seeing off McManus, he said: ‘The qualifiers have played a few matches already, and there’s less pressure to play at the Crucible.’

So much for the qualifers being burnt out - many have come here match fit and on top of their game. Nobody more than Ding.

Selby shows he’s the man for the big occasion

It would have been a genuine shame had Selby never won the sport’s biggest prize, but he made all his snooker dreams come true in memorable fashion at the Crucible two years ago. And here he is with a big chance to win the World Championship again.

With one world title, one UK crown and three Masters titles to his name, Selby has already established himself as one of the most successful players of this current era. A second world title would put him in another bracket altogether, that select band of special players that have won this tournament more than once.

The funny thing is, despite Selby’s obvious brilliance, this run to the final has caught us a little by surprise. By his own high standards he’s hardly set the sport on fire this season. The highlights before this were two ranking semi-finals, at the UK Championship and International Championship.

And then, a month before Sheffield, Selby said he was pulling out of two events, the Players Championship and China Open, for ‘personal reasons’ - he later confirmed he wanted to avoid rocking up here as jaded as he was last spring.

What an inspired move that may turn out to be if he’s lifting the famous old trophy come the end of the weekend.

Huge Chinese audience set to tune in

Chinese journalists here at the Crucible were predicting a ratings topping audience of 100 million back home for the final session of Ding’s semi-final against McManus, which went out late on Saturday night in the country.

Goodness knows what kind of numbers there will now be tuning in for the final - especially for the play on Sunday and Monday afternoon in Sheffield, which will be prime time viewing in China on state broadcaster CTV.

In truth, for the wider benefit of the game worldwide, this is a terrific thing. Snooker may have long ago reached its peak in the UK in terms of interest, but where the sport’s newer frontiers are concerned it’s becoming an increasingly healthy picture.

And Ding’s appearance in the biggest match of all can surely only be a boost in that crucial Far East market.

So who’s going to win?

Now you’re asking. I think it’s fair to say Ding Junhui starts as slight favourite. He has looked so sharp at times during this Crucible run, and he did have the benefit of a quiet Saturday night while Selby was slugging it out with Fu.

However, don’t underestimate the pressure Ding is still under to become the first Asian player to claim the grand old prize.

I certainly can’t agree with fans that are saying Ding is bound to win with ease. There were some watchers that said similar things before the 2014 Crucible final, especially after Selby came through a semi-final marathon with Neil Robertson, while Ronnie O’Sullivan eased to victory over Barry Hawkins.

Final score: Selby 18 O’Sullivan 14.

As I heard a top professional say this week, you have to scrape Selby off the table if you want to beat him. Write ‘The Jester’ off if you must, but I don’t recommend it.

There’s only one cast iron guarantee - this final will provide some marvellous entertainment. It doesn’t matter if the sun is shining - close the curtains, turn the telly on and enjoy one of those glorious sporting feasts.

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