David Grace and Ding Junhui set for battle at UK Championship

Grace, who last week reached the second ranking event semi-final of his career at the Northern Ireland Open, will take on the world No 10 today in the second round in Milton Keynes.

The world No 65 battled past Ian Burns 6-4 in his first-round match and knows he will need to find his most fluent potting form to topple 14-time ranking event winner Ding, who hails from China but is based in Sheffield.

Ding has lifted the UK Championship trophy three times and is hoping to become just the second man to defend his title since Stephen Hendry in 1996. If Ding is still in the tournament next Thursday, he does not want to see fans return.

“I wouldn’t want to see fans back at the minute – it’s too risky,” said Ding. “We’re in a room inside – it’s not like a football ground that’s outside.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan won the event in both 2017 and 2018 – but Grace has been unable to reach the last 32 since his stunning run to the semi-finals back in 2015.

Fellow Leeds player Oliver Lines is also in last 64 action as he takes on Xu Si under the Saturday night Marshall Arena lights.

World No 117 Lines stunned 2019 World Championship semi-finalist Gary Wilson in his first-round match and will be hoping to replicate the heroics that saw him reach the last 16 in 2016.

Rotherham’s Ashley Carty, the world No 95, has also reached the second round where he meets world No 46 Ricky Walden tomorrow afternoon.

Watch the UK Championship LIVE on Eurosport and Eurosport app. Follow all the latest tournament news on Eurosport.co.uk

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