Luca Brecel v Ding Junhui live stream | Scottish Open 2024 preview

Ding Junhui aims to continue his perfect record against Luca Brecel when the pair lock horns in the Scottish Open last 16 on Thursday.

The world number seven collides with the world number nine in the standout tie of the round at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh.

The head-to-head has been very one-sided with Ding winning all of the eight previous meetings between the players, including a 4-3 victory in their most recent encounter at this stage of last year’s English Open.

Three of their latest four showdowns have gone to a deciding frame, and that will encourage Brecel as he aims to stop the rot.

The Belgian is appearing in the Scottish Open last 16 for only the second time, with his other such venture culminating in him lifting the Stephen Hendry trophy in Llandudno three years ago.

Brecel has endured a poor start to the season to put his tour status provisionally at risk, with the £500,000 from his 2023 World Championship set to be removed later in the campaign.

Indeed, following victories over compatriot Julien Leclercq and 2023 semi-finalist Zhou Yuelong, this marks his joint-best performance of this term, though a deep run in Edinburgh would leave him breathing a lot easier.

Meanwhile, wins over veteran Mark Davis and youngster Jackson Page have helped Ding reach the Scottish Open last 16 for the first time since a run to the 2020 quarter-finals.

The Dragon ended his five-year wait for ranking silverware with his triumph at the International Championship last month.

Though that represents his only venture beyond the last 16 of any ranking tournament this season, he will hope it serves a positive omen this week.

The match breaks off at 1pm GMT on Thursday and will be contested over the best of seven frames at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh.

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