Ding Junhui wrote himself into the history books by winning six
consecutive matches for a landmark victory over Scotland's snooker
legend Stephen Hendry at the China Open on Sunday in the nation's
capital.
Ding, who turned 18 just two days before, triumphantly lifted
the shining trophy in front of Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan and over
1,500 screaming fans.
"I felt very confident amid the supporting crowd," said an
excited Ding. "I want to express my appreciation to the people who
have helped me over the past years."
Ding, No. 54 in the Tour rankings, gave seven-time world
champion Hendry little room to move in Beijing's Haidian stadium in
the best-of-17 match before sealing a 9-5 victory.
"This is a significant victory for the country," said Hu
Jianguo, director of the national ball games administrative center.
"Ding's success is the result of years of hard work as well as the
achievement of generations of snooker players in China."
Ding's successes have helped the sport gain increasing
popularity in a country traditionally dominated by badminton and
table tennis.
"I saw several games Ding played on TV and I found them very
interesting," said Li Wei, a sports fan who was at the final. "I
came here and I was totally entranced by the game and it even
reminded me of the 2004 Athens Olympics."
Dubbed the Oriental Star, Ding injected fresh blood into the
British-dominated sport with his first Asian Championship title in
2002, making him the youngest-ever regional champ. He rapidly
progressed to the Main Tour after becoming the first Chinese to win
the World Youth Championships.
Ding then reached the top 16 at the 2004 British Open and the
quarter-finals at the Wembley Masters this year before taking the
title yesterday.
"He is a talented player and has great potential," said world
No. 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan. "I think he will be a leading player in
the pro tours in the future."
World No. 9 Peter Ebdon, who was second to Ding in the
tournament quarter-finals, called Ding the best teenage player he
had seen in recent years and a top contender for the world
championship.
(China Daily April 4, 2005)
