Zhao is still riding high in the world of snooker. After his surprise World Snooker Championship triumph last season and three ranking titles this year to underline his class, he’s showing no signs of succumbing to the 'Crucible Curse'.
Zhao began the day with a 9-7 advantage and had the first opportunity in the opening frame, but struggled with cue ball control and lost position several times.
This handed Ding a number of chances. Although he was also shaky, he managed to build enough of a lead to leave Zhao needing snookers.
What followed was a lengthy tactical battle between the two Chinese players, with Ding escaping several tough snookers and eventually reducing the deficit after more than 40 minutes.
Zhao to face Murphy
The match remained closely contested, with both players making errors in the next frame, but this time, Zhao managed to get over the line with a couple of smaller breaks.
The 19th frame proved pivotal: Zhao moved ahead with a 47, but after a missed pot gave Ding a chance, he clawed back the deficit with two visits.
In the colours, Ding opted for a safety after green as brown was tight on the cushion, but his shot went wrong, and Zhao took full advantage, turning the frame around on the black to lead 11-8.
Ding took his first chance in the 20th frame, rattling in a quick break of 76, but after the interval, he suddenly began to struggle with his eye, repeatedly pulling out of shots and looking visibly uncomfortable.
This led to further mistakes, allowing Zhao to compile a century break of 108 before closing out the match with two smaller contributions.
In the quarter-finals, which begin on Tuesday, Zhao will face Shaun Murphy, who dominated his last-16 tie and swept aside Xiao Guodong 13-3.
Murphy’s emphatic win meant he didn’t even need a third session, so he’ll be well rested for the next round.
Selby opens with two centuries
On the other table, Selby and rising star Wu got their last-16 match underway. Selby was on fire from the off, firing in back-to-back century breaks of 123 and 124.
But the young Wu wasn’t fazed. First, he responded with a couple of smaller breaks, then capitalised on a Selby error with just one red left, clearing the table to level at 2-2.
Wu turns the match around
Wu wasn’t done yet. After the interval, he beat Selby at his own game. With a lead, he laid a nasty snooker, and the four-time world champion narrowly missed the final red, giving Wu another chance to clear and take the lead for the first time.
The next two frames were shared, with Selby making an 81 and Wu replying with a 72.
The final frame of the session was full of drama, with both players missing chances. Wu started well but missed a straightforward red after 36 points. At 44-0, he made a costly safety error, handing Selby a chance to come back.
Selby avoids falling behind
The 'Jester from Leicester' made a break of 65, but with the last red tight on the cushion, he opted for a safety.
However, it went badly wrong. The red hung over the left middle pocket and rolled across to the right middle. Wu potted the red, but the cue ball went in off into the top right corner pocket.
With the ball in hand and only the colours remaining, that settled the frame, leaving the score at 4-4 after eight frames. The second session takes place this evening.