Ding Junhui reaches the final of the World Snooker Championships

On a day when Mark Selby and Marco Fu played out the longest frame in Crucible history and so delayed the deciding afternoon session between Ding Junhui and Alan McManus, it was Ding who settled the best.

Resuming at 14-10 up in the best-of-33 match, Ding Junhui became the first Asian player to reach the World Championship Snooker final with a 17-11 victory. In doing so, his seven century breaks was a record for the most centuries in a Crucible match, previously held by Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry.

Coming into the tournament as ranked #17 Ding, along with Alan McManus, had to go through three qualifying matches, and becomes the first Asian player to reach the final of the World Snooker Championships.

 Alan McManus breaks off in frame #25.

 Both players stand away from the table and think about the options.

 Referee Olivier Marteel, Ding Junhui and Alan McManus contemplate the table.

Frame 26, Ding looks for the snooker on the pink but McManus comes back to win it and make it 15-11 at that point.

Action from the first frame Ding Junhui vs Alan McManus

It's the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championships and this is the first frame in the match between China's Ding Junhui, hoping to become the first Chinese player to reach the final, and Alan McManus from Scotland - who at 45 is the oldest player to reach a Crucible semi-final since Ray Reardon in 1985.

 Steve Davis ready for the warm-up.

 Ding Junhui and Alan McManus.

 Alan McManus breaks off.

 Ding Junhui plays down the table.