Several times in this final, the player breaking off has left a long red to the right corner pocket as we look.

It happens again in frame 15 - and Ronnie O'Sullivan knocks it in beautifully, and finishes plum on the pink after a nice kiss on a red.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

You wonder whether not being the number one player in China for a couple of years has spurred Ding into action.

It seems like he's applied himself better but it might be that he's just hit a bit of form and you never know when that is going to happen.

I'm sure he feels like he is getting back to his rightful place because he has had China in the palm of his hand and been the number one player there for so long.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at York Barbican

Image source, PA Media

There is a fair element of anxiety around the final stretch of this match in the media room now.

When Ronnie O'Sullivan was leading 7-5 there was plenty of optimism that the journalists in here would be able to meet 22:00 GMT newspaper deadlines.

Ding Junhui's superb response has thrown that all into doubt.

Level again after 104 from Dingpublished at 21:01 Greenwich Mean Time 3 December 2023

21:01 GMT 3 December 2023

Ding 7-7 O'Sullivan

Even stevens. From 4-1 down, Ding levelled at 4-4 and now from 7-5 adrift he's back to 7-7.

A fantastic 104 break from the 36-year-old.

It's best-of-five for the UK title.

The Chinese superstar pauses in horror as a red goes towards the middle after an attempt to split the remaining balls in the pack off the black.

But it hits the jaw and provides an easy next pot instead. Ding is past the half-century mark and has fashioned a huge chance to draw level at 7-7.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Image source, Getty Images

It's 04:00 in China but I bet there are still millions of people glued to this - Ding Junhui trying to get level in this final.

Ding takes a gamble on going into the pack of reds early in the break.

It's not a perfect split but he has a red - it's a thin clip and the bridging is tricky but he pots it. And now there's quite a few balls at his mercy.

Early chance for Ding in the next frame too.

Good long red that could be played as a shot to nothing. He nails it and is perfect on the green.

Ronnie O'Sullivan tries a couple of attacking safety shots, trying to promote some reds, given that he's 50-odd behind and needs them all.

However, he leaves a plant on that Ding converts to extend his lead to 55 - but there's still a possible 59 points on...

O'Sullivan, though, misses a very gettable long red by his standards and China's Ding puts the frame to bed.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

There haven't been too many tactical battles, a lot of the frames have been won in one visit.

Not for the first time in this final, Ding Junhui falters when the frame's winning line is in sight.

A 52 break ends with a missed red to middle - he's 58-0 up though, and most of the few remaining reds are in safe positions near cushions or tied up with one another.

Image source, PA Media

But putting it together he is.

Blue and pink are available, and there are enough reds in the open to build a commanding lead.

Now then, a misjudged safety from the Rocket leaves Ding with a simple starter red but the black is over on the side of the table so any break will need some putting together.

As if to prove Dennis's point, Ding Junhui pots a fantastic blue with the cue ball tucked right on the cushion, after clipping in an opening red as we get back under way.

No luck with position, though, so it's safety city from there for the three-time UK champ.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

I've enjoyed every frame of this final. It's been a terrific tussle.

Ronnie has a healthy two-frame advantage, but the way Ding has been playing in this tournament, there's a lot left in his locker.

And is this man the greatest snooker player of all time? Hit the thumbs again...

Image source, Getty Images

Can this man turn this final around? Hit the thumbs...

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

If you're going to judge as a yardstick how great somebody is, you've got to say longevity in the game is a fantastic way to judge.

It's not just staying at the top of the game, it's staying there when all of a sudden there's been so many more great players coming through to try to thwart him.

For me, that's the very special thing and it's astonishing to think Ronnie could be the youngest and oldest winner of this title.

Martin Warren: Hope to be proved wrong but expect this match to be over after the mid session interval fairly quickly.

Studio pundit Steve Davis is the latest guest of the BBC Framed snooker podcast.

He talks about his continuing involvement with the UK Championship in York and his new career in music that has taken him to the Glastonbury festival among other places.

The six-time world and UK champion also discusses his lasting friendship with Barry Hearn and the future of the game.

Check it out here.

Image source, Getty Images