World No. 8 Barry "The Hawk" Hawkins of England defeated China's top cueman Ding Junhui 4-2 to advance to the semifinal round of the Ladbrokes Players Championship at the Event City in Manchester on Friday.

Hawkins enters the tournament's final four and will be facing fellow countryman Ricky Walden, who ousted Ali Carter in their quarterfinals showdown. The semifinal match will be held on Saturday. The 36-year-old professional snooker player from Ditton, Kent is looking to claim his third career ranking title and first since the 2014 Players Championship in Preston.

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According to the website of the World Snooker, Ding now stands 16th in the projected rankings,  with his chances of keeping his place in the top 16 very much in the balance, with only the China Open to come before the seeding axe falls for the World Championship.

Hawkins striked into a 3-0 lead with top breaks of 62 and 77. He broke down on 49 and failed to set a complete whitewash. The Kent-based cueman later missed on the third-last red with the rest.

The Chinese star secured a foothold in the match with a 46 clearance and claimed the next as well with an excellent 127 to close to 3-2. However, Hawkins, who reached his 14^th ranking event semifinals, made a composed break of 79 in frame six and ended Ding's fight back.

"Changing my flight and booking back into the hotel is a nice problem to have," said Hawkins. "I knew I had to perform well to beat Ding and that got me up for the match."

Ding has won three ranking titles and became the only second teenager after John Higgins of Scotland to claim the feat that includes the prestigious UK Championship. The famous cueman is considered the most successful professional snooker player from China.

Meanwhile, current world No. 4 Shaun "The Magician" Murphy will be playing against Mark Allen for their semifinals clash.

Tagsbarry hawkins, Ding Junhui, ladbrokes players championship, world snooker, Shaun Murphy, mark allen