Zhang, a gifted 18-year-old from Guangzhou playing his debut season on the pro Tour, has won four matches in the qualifying rounds to reach his first ranking event venue. The player nicknamed Mighty Mouse, standing 5 foot 3 inches, rose to the occasion to beat World No 20 Walden.
It was revenge for the current Asian under-21 champion as he lost 5-0 to Walden in the wild card round when the Englishman won last season's Roewe Shanghai Masters.
Trailing 5-4 after the first session, former World under-21 finalist Zhang levelled the score with a break of 74, then shared the next six frames as neither player was able to pull away. From 8-8, Zhang stepped up a gear and fired in a tremendous 134 total clearance to go 9-8 ahead. Walden had the first chance in the next but could only make 32 and Zhang finished in style with a 103.
"I never thought I could get to the Crucible," admitted Zhang with the help of a translator. "I just wanted to win enough games here to stay on the Main Tour, so now I'm very happy. I didn't feel nervous at all, I was very focussed and my mind was totally into the match."
Zhang, who didn't even know what the Crucible was when he was driven past it by his manager last week, is based in Romford during the season, where he often practises with Ronnie O'Sullivan. "I have learned just from watching him," he added. "I started watching snooker on TV in 2004 because I wanted to learn from the top players. I also practise with Ding Junhui. I don't mind who I draw in the first round - everyone is difficult but I feel confident."
Graeme Dott, the 2006 World Champion, came through the ordeal of qualifying with a 10-5 defeat of Jimmy Michie. Larkhall's Dott trailed 3-1 early on, but hit back to lead 6-3 and added the four frames he needed tonight with a top break of 64.
"The main thing is just to get through, there’s no enjoyment in it," said Dott. "I never felt comfortable all day. I was delighted to be 6-3 up after the first session because I would have taken being 5-4 down with the chance to regroup. I’m still in with a chance of the top 16, though I need to do something in the last two tournaments."
Stephen Lee, a Crucible semi-finalist in 2003, booked his place with an emphatic 10-2 victory over Mike Dunn. Lee compiled breaks of 64, 83 and 67 in taking a 7-2 first session lead, and added 63 and 56 in winning the three frames he needed in the second.
"It was the best I have felt for a while," said Trowbridge's Lee, a winner of four ranking events. "I have funneled my focus into practice lately, playing at a new club in Swindon. It's horrible if your season ends in a booth so I'm pleased to get through this."
Stuart Pettman earned his third Crucible appearance, and first since 2004, by beating Stuart Bingham 10-2. The Preston cueman knocked in runs of 65, 63, 87, 69 and 58 in a superb display.
"It's a great result, to win 10-2 is unbelievable," said Pettman. "I felt great all day, I was so comfortable. There's definitely less pressure in this round if you've come from a previous round, because you've already won your first match. On my first two trips to the Crucible I played Mark Williams in 2003 when he was World No 1, then Stephen Hendry in 2004 who was still a big force, so I hope I avoid those two."
Jamie Cope, who ran John Higgins so close in the second round last year, losing 13-12, will be back again as he beat Mark Joyce 10-5.
Stoke's Cope rattled in 75, 108, 80, 62 and 56 in building a 6-3 lead, then in the second session, he added runs of 51, 52, 64 and 56.
“I’m pretty pleased, I scored ok and made a few 50 breaks, which helps," said the Shotgun. "It’s tough coming here to play one match so you have to try to enjoy it and keep it solid.
“I played well at the Crucible last year and I hope I can play better this time. It would have been great to beat John Higgins, I was disappointed the night after the match, but by the next day I was fine. I’ve won all six of my qualifying matches this season and that’s what you need to do – be consistent.”
Gerard Greene took the last of the 16 available qualifying slots by beating Rory McLeod 10-9 in an eight-hour struggle. Kent-based Greene came from 7-4 down to 7-7 and eventually won the decider 61-25 by potting the green.
"It was hard work, I was under so much stress," he said. "In the last frame we missed about 50 chances each"
