Stuart Bingham knows he faces a tough test in Zhang Anda at the UK Championship, but has happy memories of facing him after he ‘absolutely hammered him’ in their last meeting.
Bingham booked his spot in the second round thanks to a 6-5 win over Mark Williams, while Zhang knocked in a 147 on his way to a 6-3 victory over Lei Peifan.
They now meet on Thursday afternoon for the chance to play either John Higgins or Judd Trump in the quarter-finals in York.
Ballrun is feeling good after coming through qualifying and downing a three-time world champion, while he is also thinking about a 4-0 win over Zhang in the Scottish Open last year.
The 2015 world champion knocked in breaks of 119, 89, 68 and 65 as he dismissed Zhang and he will be hoping to do similar on Thursday.
‘I’m in the draw so of course I can win it,’ he said. ‘Obviously tough game with Mr Maximum Man in the next match.
‘We’ve had some good battles. I remember playing him in Scotland last year and with how well he’s been playing I knew I had to play well and I think I absolutely hammered him, I schooled him really. I’ll need to play with that much ability to do that again.’
Zhang has had a remarkable last few months, evolving from something of a journeyman to a ranking event winner and top 16 player.
‘He’s always been good,’ said Bingham. ‘I remember back in the day when he was in Romford at the Grove Academy. Even back then you could see the ability, obviously it’s just took him a while to get going.
‘Great, great player. Like I say, I played him in Scotland and I knew I had to play well, I just shut him out with how well I played and I’ll need to do it again.’
Zhang looked in very good touch as he beat Lei on Tuesday, illustrated by his maximum break.
‘This is my third time making a maximum, but this time I felt different because UK Championship is a big event. Just very happy,’ he said.
‘I just watched the video. When I play I was not that nervous, when I watch me play I feel nervous.’
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