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Allen into International last 8 as Stevens shocks Ding

Ding won the tournament in 2013
Ding won the tournament in 2013

Matthew Stevens recovered from 3-1 down to claim a stunning victory over home favourite Ding Junhui at the International Championship in China.

The Welshman, who has slipped to 56 in the world rankings, recorded breaks of 61, 67, 127 and 63 as he secured a place in the quarter-finals by edging a tight contest 6-5.

Stevens will next play Martin O'Donnell, a 6-1 victor over David Gilbert, in what will be his first appearance in the last eight of a ranking event since 2014.

The 41-year-old told worldsnooker.com: "It's a massive win for me. I had never beaten Ding before so to do so from 3-1 down in China gives me a lot of confidence.

"I haven't played great this week but I'm still here. I still like the buzz out there, that's what we play for."

The defeat of Ding, the world number seven, was not the only disappointment for the Chinese fans in Daqing.

Teenager Yuan Sijun was beaten 6-4 by former world champion Neil Robertson, who finished with successive centuries, while Yan Bingtao was thrashed 6-1 by Judd Trump.

World number one Mark Selby saw off Stuart Carrington 6-3 and Antrim man Mark Allen made easy work of Alfie Burden, winning 6-1.

Ali Carter came through 6-4 against Sunny Akani and Jack Lisowski pulled off a dramatic 6-5 win over Martin Gould with centuries in the last two frames.

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