Birthday boy Ding praised by sponsors and fans

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-08 09:35

BEIJING - Ding Junhui received another financial boost on Tuesday when he collected a 200,000 yuan ($29,300) cheque from Gan Lianfang, president of the Beijing Xing Pai Group, for his second-place finish at the China Open last week and his world No 1 singles ranking for the 2009-2010 season.

Birthday boy Ding praised by sponsors and fans

After winning the UK Championship last December - beating world champion John Higgins 10-8 after a hard-fought final, Ding reached the final of the China Open before eventually going down 10-6 to former world No 1 Mark Williams. Ding thus was ranked No 1 in the world for the 2009-2010 season.

Also receiving monetary rewards were Tian Pengfei, who shocked Ronnie O'Sullivan, 5-3, in the first round of China Open last week, Liu Shasha, who at 16 became the youngest world 9-ball World Championship winner by defeating 40-year-old Karen Corr of Britain last November, and Asian champion Fu Xiaofang.

Ding's recent success has also won him greater popularity among fans.

His busy schedule saw him miss the chance to celebrate his 23rd birthday on April 1 due to the China Open.

However, China's leading portal, sohu.com, organized an on-line and live birthday party for him on Tuesday.

More than 100 fans attended the party and presented him with gifts.

Ding also made a big birthday wish: to win the World Championship title later this month.

China's Ding Junhui (R) is treated a piece of birthday cake by his mother (second right) as reporters look on after winning the second round game at the 2010 World Snooker China Open in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo/Xinhua]

"I made such a wish because it will inspire me to work harder."

Ding said he would not feel any increased pressure despite the high expectations of his fans.

"A wish is just a wish. It inspires me rather than puts pressure on me. I am very happy with my form right now. As long as I play my best game, I do not care if I win or lose."

Ding flew to England on Wednesday to prepare for the World Championship.