Ding eyes World Snooker Championship title

Chinese moves into quarter-final after 13-9 win over King.

SHEFFIELD: China’s Ding Junhui said he felt ready to win the snooker World Championship after booking a quarter-final place with a 13-9 win over Mark King at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

No Chinese player has yet won the World Championship, but former Masters and UK champion Ding has long been tipped as the man most likely to make that breakthrough.

Ding was 6-2 behind at one stage, only to stun King in a match where the Chinese master cueman reeled off four centuries and a further seven breaks over 50.

For Sheffield-based Ding, the pressure of playing at the Crucible is nothing like as much of a strain as performing in front of an adoring home crowd.

However, he said he is now coming to terms with the Crucible.

“I find it easier to play here in Sheffield than in China,” said Ding. “There are so many things that happen around me in tournaments in China, but you need to be able to relax, concentrate, practice and get ready for your matches. Then you can win. But if you can’t relax, then you have no chance.”

An admiring King said that on this form, not even Ronnie O’Sullivan, the reigning world champion, could cope with Ding.

“He was on a different planet and when he’s hitting the ball like that I don’t think anyone can get near him, even Ronnie O’Sullivan,” said King.

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan maintained his title defence with a 13-8 win over Ali Carter in a repeat of last year’s final.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2013.