RONNIE O'SULLIVAN hopes that "class act" Ding Junhui goes on to win the 2022 Cazoo UK Championship after knocking out the record seven-time champion in a 6-0 whitewash at the York Barbican.

Ding made breaks of 88, 94 and 87 before closing out the match with a century break of 131 to progress to tomorrow's semi-final.

The result sees the former world number one back in the final four of a Triple Crown event for the first time since the most recent of his three UK titles in 2019.

For O'Sullivan, his bid to win a record-extending eighth UK Championship has come to an end.

"He played fantastically well, it's brilliant to see Ding playing like that," enthused the reigning world champion.

"I wish he could play more like that, he's so good for the game.

"He's just a class act and I'd like to see him go and win it now."

On Ding's current world number 38 ranking, O'Sullivan added: "He's too good a player to be where ever he is at the moment.

"He just struggles at some of these venues, being stuck on the outside tables with no one watching him.

"The real class players like an occasion like these to bring the best out of them. It's hard because not many of them are like that, most of them are played at leisure centres.

"He just proved there what a fantastic player he is."

'The Rocket' said of his own performance: "I knew that as soon as someone played alright against me, they'd probably beat me. I'm not surprised.

"I've had a good run, I can't complain and I've got a bit of time off now which is great."