China's Ding reaches second round at snooker worlds

Chinese number one Ding Junhui reached the second round of the World Snooker Championship with a 10-5 win over compatriot Zhou Yuelong here on Tuesday.

The fourth-ranked Ding, who became the first Asian player to reach the Crucible final last year, met fierce challenge in the second session from the 19-year-old Zhou, who trailed 7-2 deficit after the first session.

Zhou, who won the 2015 World Cup alongside Yan Bingtao, took the opening two frames off the afternoon with runs of 60 and 93. But Ding took a run of 67 to extend his lead to 8-4.

Zhou managed to make it 8-5 but Ding gave him no chance in the following two frames and sealed the win 10-5.

Ding said: "I hope I can have a good run here this season. This is the first game and last year I had to go through qualifying. The first game is always difficult, but when you win it gets you ready for the next round. You have to relax and play and I'm still learning and trying hard.

"I think Zhou will come back stronger next year, but for me it is about staying in the moment. Last year I got a lot of experience reaching the final and now I am more confident." Endit