Ding ‘proud, honored’ to be new world No. 1
Print Edition
DING Junhui has said that he is very “proud” after it became clear that the Chinese cueist will become the first ever Asian world No. 1.
“I am very proud,” the two-time UK Championship winner told Xinhua news agency. “It’s a great honor as a Chinese to become the world No. 1.”
The 27-year-old will become No. 1 when snooker’s world rankings are revised at the end of the UK Championship on Sunday.
Ding suffered a shock 5-6 defeat at the hands of teenager James Cahill in the last 32 in York on Tuesday night, but has done enough to take over from Mark Selby at the top of the list since defending champion Neil Robertson was surprisingly beaten by Graeme Dott in the last 16 on Wednesday.
“To be world No. 1, following in the steps of so many legendary players, it’s really a great encouragement for my career,” the Chinese star said.
Ding insisted that the new ranking will not impose any pressure on his preparation for future tournaments.
“It will make me work harder,” he added.
Ding, who won a record-equalling five ranking titles last season, will become the 11th world No. 1 in snooker history, after Ray Reardon, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Robertson, Selby and Judd Trump.
Meanwhile, Australian Robertson’s UK Championship title defense came to an end at York’s Barbican Centre.
Robertson, 32, looked on course for a demoralizing one-sided loss after falling 0-5 down to former world champion Dott, leaving him one frame from elimination.
But the Melbourne-born cueman stormed back to level the score and force a decider, recording century breaks in frames seven and nine, only for Dott to prevail with a break of 56.
Dott will now face Stuart Bingham in the quarterfinals.
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