Ding suffers 1st round exit at Welsh Open

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-28 10:17

NEWPORT, SOUTH WALES: World number 13 Ding Junhui from China was knocked out of the Welsh Open Snooker 5-3 in the first round by Enland's qualifier Jamie Cope here on Wednesday.

Later in the evening session, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was beaten by Ryan Day 5-3 in the last 16. But the 22-year-old Ding and the 41-year-old snooker legend Hendry have booked an exhibition match next week in Beijing, showing them playing against each other in best of 13 frames on February 6 and 7.

After suffering a first round exit at the Wembley Masters due to lack of practice more than two weeks ago, Ding practised six to seven hours every day recently to prepare for the ranking tournament.

The Chinese cueman amazingly collected a 134 break in the sixth frame to draw 3-3 with his opponent, but the UK championships title holder couldn't stop Cope, dubbed "shotgun" to take the following two frames.

"I felt uncomfortable during the match because I caught cold two days ago," said Ding. "I couldn't say I played badly, but I failed to concentrate sometime and made some poor safety."

Ding and Cope equalized at 2-2 before the interval and Cope took the lead for the first time by winning frame five in 78-23. Although Ding came back strongly with a break of 134, Cope wrapped up the match after the eighth frame.

"He played quite well today," Ding commented on his rival. "He got few mistakes and could always collect the points whenever he can."

Three-time Welsh Open champion Hendry was also disappointed as a few vital errors led to his another exit.

Hendry suffered a bitter loss in his first match at the Wembley Masters as he was defeated by world number three Shaun Murphy.

Although Hendry met few challenge on Tuesday to grab a second round berth at Welsh Open, he was outplayed by world number six Day for the first time in their fifth encounter.

Day is going to fight for a semifinal place with Australian Neil Robertson, who overcame defending champion Allister Carter 5-3 on Wednesday.

The last four quarterfinal berths were snatched by Mark Selby, John Higgins, Mark Williams and Graeme Dott.