Ding left reeling as Williams comeback lands China title

The 35-year-old Welshman looked to be in trouble at 5-3 down in the afternoon session, but he won seven of the next eight frames to triumph 10-6.

For Williams it was the 17th ranking title of his career and the first since he won the same event in 2006. He collected 55,000 and will head to the Betfred.com World Championship later this month full of confidence and poised to clinch a place in the top eight for next season.

For Chinese sensation Ding, who has won more ranking points than any other player this season, there was clear disappointment he failed to win in front of a large Beijing crowd after he lost his way despite looking in superb form in the early stages of the match.

Ding made two century breaks in the first session as he aimed for his second ranking title of the season, having won the UK Championship in December. He fired in an early break of 127 to draw level after Williams had taken the opening frame with a run of 110.

Two-time former world champion Williams edged 2-1 ahead but Ding reeled off three frames in a row, capped with a break of 116, to take a 4-2 lead.

Williams pulled a frame back before Ding constructed a break of 82 to lead 5-3 heading into the final frame of the afternoon.

It was a key one in the context of the match and both men wasted early chances before Williams strung together a break of 61. Ding was unable to get back into the frame, and Williams ensured the home favourite would carry only a slender advantage into the evening session.

Breaks of 81 and 65 carried Williams into a 6-5 lead before Ding responded with a 73 to draw level.

With the match in the balance, it was Williams who stayed composed as he reeled off four frames in a row to secure the title, clearing to the colours in the final frame before exuberantly smashing the yellow off the table.