Ding crushes Fu to claim Masters

Victory brought Ding revenge for his defeat to Fu in last year’s Asian Games, winner’s cheque for £150,000.

LONDON: China’s Ding Junhui brushed aside Marco Fu of Hong Kong 10-4 to take the Masters title in the first all-Asian final in the history of snooker’s major tournaments.

The victory brought Ding revenge for his defeat to Fu in last year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou and a winner’s cheque for £150,000.

Ding, who beat former world champions Mark Williams and Graeme Dott to reach the final, swept into a 6-2 lead after the first session at Wembley with breaks of 120, 74, 61, 57 and 60. Fu reduced the deficit to two frames but Ding blasted a 94 and 83 on his way to clinching four straight frames to complete victory.

“The Masters is a big tournament. It will be big news in China,” said Ding, a two-time UK Champion.

Ding said he is not worried about the increase in pressure on him to win the world title at the Crucible later this year. “I’m not worrying about the world championships. This will give me more confidence.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2011.