Walden closes on first snooker world final

LONDON (AFP) –

The referee places the pink ball above the reds ahead of a frame between Ding Junhui of China and Barry Hawkins of England in their quarter-final match in the World Snooker Championships at The Crucible in Sheffield, England on April 30, 2013. England’s Ricky Walden moved to within five frames of his first World Championship final on Saturday.

England’s Ricky Walden moved to within five frames of his first World Championship final after stretching his lead over Barry Hawkins to 12-8 in their semi-final on Saturday.

Leading 9-7 from the previous session, Walden won a scrappy opening frame and then made it 11-7 after Hawkins saw a break of 62 came to an end when the cue ball took an unfortunate bounce off a side cushion and forced him to play safe.

A break of 114 from Hawkins allowed him to reduce the deficit, but Walden claimed the final frame of the session with a break of 78 to take another step towards the final at the Crucible in the northern English city of Sheffield.

Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan was due to resume his semi-final with Judd Trump later on Saturday.

The four-time world champion led 14-10 after Friday’s evening session, but he was reprimanded by referee Michaela Tabb after reacting to a poor shot in the day’s penultimate frame with what appeared to be a lewd gesture.

O’Sullivan, who has returned to the sport after a year-long absence, said he had not intended to cause offence and was merely cleaning his cue.