John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

I'm going to go for 10-9. Whenever one player seems to kick in, the other one responds.

I could see it going all the way.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at York Barbican

Aside from his last-16 victory over Tom Ford, Ding Junhui has trailed at some stage in every single one of his matches at this year's UK Championship.

So he knows all about coming from behind and sticking with it.

The Rocket decides he doesn't fancy playing for snookers and concedes.

Level again.

Snookers required for Ronnie - Ding's break ends at 56 as he runs out of position on a colour.

But the Chinese potter is firmly in the driver's seat.

He can use the brown as well, Shaun, to be fair. And does just that.

This is such a similar break to the one Ronnie O'Sullivan crafted in the last frame.

The lead is 39-2 with six reds remaining - and now he's freed the black. Massive chance to level matters again.

Shaun Murphy
2005 world champion on BBC Two

Ding needs to make something happen here in regards to the pink or the black.

I can't see him clearing up using just the blue although it's not impossible.

Ding, though, is back at the table.

O'Sullivan went for a tough blue after knocking in a nice red but missed it - and Ding has that aforementioned red over the middle for a dolly of a starter.

Black and pink are both frozen to reds so not the easiest opportunity to build a break, mind. But Ronnie did it all off the blue in the previous frame, can Ding do the same?

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at York Barbican

Image source, PA Media

Ding Junhui must be cursing the snooker gods at the moment. In the first frame of the evening a wild opener from Ronnie O'Sullivan ended up splitting the reds and leaving him nothing.

And now a fluked red and fortunate run of the balls to cover a red over the middle have gone in the seven-time winner's favour.

If there's one opponent you wouldn't want to enjoy a run of the balls against you, it would be the seven-time world champion.

Amit: Tactics, patience, composure... and more importantly belief is everything if you want to try and overpower the greats and the likes of Ronnie. Let's see if Ding has the mustard.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

No matter how good or talented you are, you can always do with a little bit of luck. You can't beat it.

Ronnie O'Sullivan flukes a red as it flicks off another and just drops into the corner pocket early in frame 10.

He snookers Ding behind the yellow but the Chinese star produces a good escape without leaving anything on.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

Ronnie is the best player in the game for making breaks when the balls are awkward.

He has great vision and cue ball control is imperative in those situations.

He took his foot off the pedal this afternoon but that is a great springboard.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Image source, PA Media

What a break that was. There was just the blue really to go on, he potted I don't know how many in total.

The whole thing was just class.

No century, as Ronnie overcuts the yellow, but an 84 is enough.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

What a start. We expected fireworks and, as usual, the Rocket delivers. This is an incredible break.

Some effort this, from O'Sullivan, with pretty much red, blue, red, blue ad nauseam.

But he's on the brink of sealing this opening frame of the evening.

And, yep, he cuts in frame-ball red on the stretch to nose back ahead.

Not an easy chance this for O'Sullivan as the black is on the pink spot, surrounded by reds.

But the black spot is now free - and, regardless, the Rocket is manoeuvring the cue ball nicely to keep the break going with blue balls into each middle pocket.

Oh and now one into the top corner. 37-0 up.

Image source, PA Media

Two sumptuous pots from Ronnie O'Sullivan to the same middle pocket, first a cut on a red and then a powered-in green, as the Rocket claims first blood in this evening session.

However he runs out of position after the next red so runs for cover - and it's a wise decision as Ding Junhui errs with his riposte and O'Sullivan is back in.

Barry McCann: I honestly don't mind who wins, I just want a decider.

Laura: Got my snacks at the ready! Game on! Good luck to Ding and Ronnie, may the best man win.

If that opening shot is anything to go by, Ronnie O'Sullivan is going into attack mode this evening.

Cue ball near the top cush, he goes full blooded for a long red. It's close and the white ball splits the pack after contact but somehow the Rocket leaves nothing on and Ding has to play safe.