World Snooker Championship: Ding beats King in thriller, faces O’Sullivan or Un-Nooh next
- The Asian number one wins attritional clash against England’s Mark King
- Yan Bingtao and Liang Wenbo begin their first round matches on Sunday
Ding’s win secured a second round date with either five-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan or rising Thai star Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
Despite the close scoreline, Ding never trailed against world No 46 King and looked to be home and dry when he moved into a 9-7 lead with a break of 67 in the 16th frame. But King mounted a spirited comeback to take it the decider after claiming the 17th and 18th frames.
The Chinese came out on top in a cagey final frame, 69-40, to book his place in round two and seal a winning return to action after six months away from the table
“Mark is a tough player,” Ding said. “There were some scrappy frames – he’s good in that.”
It wasn’t the most polished performance from Asia’s best, but a confident Ding said he was eagerly awaiting a mouth-watering second round clash.
Fourteen days quarantine and then just eight or nine days to get ready for the World Championship, and also five months away from a tournament – I’m not sure if I can play good or not
“I’m looking forward to the second round and looking forward to improving my game again. I’m looking forward to the win – whoever I play.”
Ding, who was forced to endure two weeks of quarantine before the Crucible kick-off, spoke of the bizarre build-up to this year’s Worlds.
“Fourteen days quarantine and then just eight or nine days to get ready for the World Championship, and also five months away from a tournament – I’m not sure if I can play good or not,” said the Jiangsu native. “I just tried to play good.”
High-scoring Thai Un-Nooh, who reached his first final at the World Open in November where he was beaten by world No 1 Judd Trump, begins his match against O’Sullivan at 3pm on Sunday (UK time). The 35-year-old beat O’Sullivan in the only other match between the two, a German Masters qualifier in December 2013.
The two other Chinese players at the competition this year begin their campaigns on Sunday.
Sixteenth-seeded Yan Bingtao begins his quest against Crucible debutant Elliot Slessor of England at 11am, while 31st seed Liang Wenbo faces world number two and 2010 world champion Neil Robertson at the same time.
