Ding claims Welsh Open title
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E-mail China.org.cn, February 20, 2012
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Ding Junhui claimed his first ranking tournament of the season by winning the Welsh Open. |
Ding - a former holder of the UK and Masters titles - has his sights set on claiming the World Championship in April after losing to Judd Trump in the last four 10 months ago.
"I will practice very hard. I reached the final last year. I hope I can get to the final this year," said Ding.
Selby, who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-final, began well, taking an early 2-1 lead with breaks of 103 and 124 but Ding hit back, winning three frames in a row to win the afternoon session 5-3.
After play resumed for the evening session Ding missed a brown and Selby reduced the arrears with a 73 break.
Ding contributed 83 in response to lead 6-4 with Selby coming up with a swashbuckling 91 to win the 11th frame after Ding had missed an easy red.
However, that was the moment Ding stepped on the accelerator, registering back-to-back centuries to lead 8-5.
Selby responded in marvellous fashion, chalking up a 145 for the highest break of the tournament to move to 8-6, but Ding quickly closed the match out for a deserved win.
