JUDD TRUMP and Ding Junhui were locked together at 4-4 after the first session of their German Masters final at the Tempodrom in Berlin on Sunday.
Trump, seeking his first ranking title since the International Championship in November 2012, led 4-2 but Ding, who has already captured three major titles this season, won the last two frames of the afternoon to draw level. The first to nine frames on Sunday evening will pocket €80,000.
In front of a crowd of 2,500 in Berlin, Trump came out of the blocks strongly, winning the opening frame with a break of 80 before Ding countered with 87 in the second.
Trump secured two scrappier frames to lead 3-1 at the interval before Ding’s 76 kept the Chinese no.1 in touch at 3-2.
A fine clearance of 33 to the pink put Trump 4-2 up but two missed reds cost him in the seventh and Ding also secured the last of the session with a run of 81 to set up a thrilling finale.
Trump is seeking his fourth ranking event title from six finals with Ding looking for his tenth in 12.
Photographs by Monique Limbos.