Ding Junhui celebrates 32nd birthday with victory in World Snooker China Open

BEIJING - Home favorite Ding Junhui enjoyed a 6-1 victory in the preliminary round of World Snooker China Open here on Monday, while defending champion Mark Selby lost 3-6 to Craig Steadman.

As a routine, the No 1 domestic player, defending champion and world championships winner will play the preliminary round on the opening day. Ding took an early 2-0 lead against rookie Zhang Jiankang in the Chinese derby, the latter won the third frame before Ding stormed another four to head into the first round 6-1.

"It's very happy to play the way I wanted on the birthday night," said Ding. In the 2005 China Open, he won his first ranking event title at 18 years old. Celebrating his birthday during the event has become a tradition of the tournament.

"The 18-year-old me would spare no efforts in getting points, now I play with an overall view of the game on both ends," commented Ding on his growth.

The defending champion, Mark Selby, didn't taste triumph on the same day as he lost to Steadman who ranked 92nd in the world. The former world No 1 was leading by 3-2 before his opponent won four frames in a row.

The 2018 world champion Mark Williams survived the test by defeating Harvey Chandler 6-4 to secure a berth in the first round. More top 16 players will present in the matches on Tuesday as Ding will next face James Wattana from Thailand.