China's Ding levels at 12-12 with Selby at snooker worlds semifinals

Ding Junhui captured the final two frames to level at 12-12 with defending champion Mark Selby after the third session at the semifinals of the World Snooker Championship here on Friday.

Selby fought back from 5-3 down in the morning to lead 9-7 after the second session. The world number one made a break of 128 to extend his lead to 10-7 before Ding hit back with a run of 95.

Ding, who lost 18-14 in last year's final to Selby, cut his arrears in half to trail just 10-9. Selby made a break of 64 to ensure he led by two at the mid-session 11-9.

The Chinese star pulled one back before Selby made it 12-10. Ding then made back-to-back century runs of 117 and 128 to equalize the score.

They will meet on Saturday afternoon with the winner fighting for the title against the winner between four-time champion John Higgins and Barry Hawkins, who is appearing in the semifinals for the fourth time.