Ding Junhui spearheads Chinese domination in snooker
The youngest player ever to win three ranking titles, and the only one other than John Higgins to do so before his 20th birthday, World No.4 Junhui on Friday knocked the daylight out of Scotland's Robbie Williams to storm into the final of the Indian Open world snooker ranking tournament, here.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: October 18, 2013 05:37 PM IST
Ding Junhui has become one of China's most famous cueist and is the spearhead of an emerging army of Chinese players making an impact on the professional snooker tour.
The youngest player ever to win three ranking titles, and the only one other than John Higgins to do so before his 20th birthday, World No.4 Junhui on Friday knocked the daylight out of Scotland's Robbie Williams to storm into the final of the Indian Open world snooker ranking tournament, here.
Junhui, who on Thursday had put out world No. 1 Neil Robertson after winning 4-2, once again reigned supreme on the green baize to send World No.73 Williams crashing out of the 300,000-pound event.
Junhui, winner of seven ranking events including PTC Grand Finals and Shanghai Open titles this year, continued his great run, firing in breaks of 68, 59, 142 and 64 en route his comfortable semi-final win.
The highlight of the game was his astonishing break of 142 in the third frame which proved Junhui's dominance on the professional circuit.
The Chinese ace reduced his lower-ranked opponent to a mere spectator as he looked determined in his quest to reach the pinnacle of the game -- World No.1 ranking - by the end of this season.
The score line suggested it all -- 111-0, 90-11, 146-0, 0-87, 76-28.
"I am enjoying my game, I am playing well and looking forward to the title. The playing conditions are good here," said an elated Junhui.
Junhui, who believes Chinese players will dominate snooker in the coming years, defeated 'The Thunder from Down-Under' Robertson, four-time world champion Higgins and Mark Joyce on his way to the summit clash.
The 2012-13 season was a patchy one for Ding but he did experience the joy of winning his seventh world ranking title in front of his home crowd at the Shanghai Open.
After defeating compatriot Xiao Guodong 10-6 in the final, Junhui had said "a younger generation of players would be inspired by the success of Chinese players".
Elaborating on his statement, Junhui, who turned pro in 2003, today said, "People love to watch snooker in China. It has become a popular sport in the country.
"It all started when I won the China Open in 2005 and the UK Championship the same year. More Chinese players are taking up the game. I hope my success will act as an inspiration to other Chinese players and young kids."
Junhui, who gave a rare show of emotion by beating his chest after potting the last few balls during the final of the PTC Grand Finals in Galway, said he did try his hands at more popular sports in China - basketball and badminton but had gone by what his heart told him.
"This is what interests me a lot. I love playing snooker. I want to become World No.1 in my game," said Junhui, who is not comfortable speaking in English much and often takes the help of an interpreter.
Junhui has now won more ranking titles than all other Asian players put together. In 2011, he won snooker's most prestigious invitation event, The Masters, for the first time. In 2011, he also got to the semi-finals at The Crucible for the first time.
His hobbies away from snooker include swimming, badminton and watching Jackie Chan movies. He also enjoys football - and supports Manchester United.
Probed more about his personal life, Junhui said, "I live with my Chinese girlfriend Apple in Sheffield."