Ding Junhui wins Six Red World Championship

Ding Junhui has won the 2023 edition of the Six Red World Championship, beating home favourite Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 8-6 in the final. He last lifted the trophy in 2016, after a tense final-frame decider against Stuart Bingham, but he rallied against his opponent to prevent a similar result this year.

He now joins Mark Davis and Stephen Maguire as multiple winners of the invitational event, and he picks up £100,000 in prize money and his first major title since his 2019 UK Championship victory. He defeated Maguire, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Bingham and Tom Ford on his way to the final, but he faced tough opposition from Un-Nooh, himself a former winner (in 2015).

It was the Chinese player who got on the scoreboard first, producing breaks of 72 and 71 to lead 2-0. But Un-Nooh responded with a break of 51 and then won a prolonged safety battle on the colours to level. Ding then took control, winning the next three frames, but Un-Nooh responded – he made 34 to made it 5-3. He then moved within one, with the backing of the crowd behind him.

“The Six Red is quite fun for the players. There were some players coming here for the first time like Ronnie and Judd. It is fun and games and good to play in.”

Ding retook the momentum in frame 10, and he benefitted from good fortune in the 11th – Un-Nooh left his opponent needing snookers, but the Thai player accidentally potted the pink during an escape and left Ding to clear up. Un-Nooh took the 12th frame on the pink, and then he produced a break of 41 to make it 7-6. If he won the next frame, he would bring things to a decider, but the chance was missed – he produced a bad miss, leaving the black over the pocket when he needed a pot, and Ding regrouped to pot enough balls to secure the title.

After the match, Ding said: “I was hoping to get a chance in the black ball area at 7-4 up. I actually had two great chances to win and missed a few shots. It is a bit lucky for me. I just believe in myself and try to pot more balls than everybody. I feel good. I think everybody enjoys coming to Thailand to play six red. There isn’t much pressure with the ranking points, so it is relaxed. The organisation was so good for the tournament. I am happy to come here and win again.

“The Six Red is quite fun for the players. There were some players coming here for the first time like Ronnie and Judd. It is fun and games and good to play in. I just need to keep my head still and do everything right. I will go back to practice and work hard for the end of the season.”