Snooker: Ding Junhui claims Welsh Open

Published on Monday 20 February 2012 00:00

DING Junhui last night won the Welsh Open after beating Mark Selby 9-6 in the final.

Ding led 5-3 after the afternoon session and, in the evening session, he never allowed spirited Selby to get on level terms. The first four frames of the evening session were shared, leaving Ding leading 7-5, and when the Chinese took the next to move within a frame of victory, it looked a tall order for the Englishman.

Selby, who won the competition in 2008, rallied superbly with a 145 to claim the highest break of the tournament but Ding claimed the next to seal his fifth ranking title.

Selby, who had seen off Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-final, registered two century breaks – 103 and 124 – in the first three frames as he went 2-1 in front.

Ding, who had beaten Shaun Murphy in his semi, missed a testing pink in the fourth frame to hand his opponent the chance to go 3-1 in front but although Selby despatched the pink he failed to follow with the black.

He left Ding with a tough shot for the frame but he made it to level the scores.

From there on Ding took control, winning three of the next four frames to leave himself well on course for the £30,000 winners’ cheque.

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