BEIJING - Ding Junhui missed out on winning his fifth ranking tounament title when he lost to Mark Willliams in the final of World Snooker China Open here on Sunday.
However, the young Chinese star is well on course to conclude a stunning season by winning the World Championship title this month.
Having reached the final of three of all six ranking tournaments this season, including a victory at the UK Championship, Ding has amassed 23,400 points; John Higgins of Scotland is second with 23,020.
The 23-year-old now has a very good chance to be crowned at the Worlds, the last tournament of the season, at the Crucible in England from Apr 17-May 3, said Williams.
"Ding played very well here. If he keeps that form he will be one of the favorites to win the World Championship I think he's the third favorite, only after Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins," Williams said, after fighting back from 4-5 to win 10-6 in the final.
"At the end of the match we were asking each other who we are playing in the first round at the Worlds and I said 'thank God I don't have to play you'," he said.
Fifteenth seed Williams will meet Marcus Campell of Scotland in the opening round while No 13 seed Ding will face world No 37 Stuart Pettman of England and could face Shaun Murphy in the second round.
Although Ding has won four ranking tournament titles, including two UK Championships, he has struggled at the biggest event on the sport's annual calendar and has not advanced beyond the second round the past three years.
Having lost in the qualifiers in his first three World Championships, the then 20-year-old had his first main draw match in 2007 but was crushed by O'Sullivan 10-2.
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China's Ding Junhui (R) smiles while Mark Williams of Wales holds his trophy after the final of 2010 World Snooker China Open in Beijing, capital of China, April 4, 2010. Ding lost the final 6-10 on Sunday. [Xinhua] |
He then advanced to last year's second round after upsetting compatriot Liang Wenbo but lost to Hendry again, 13-10.
Although he struggled in Sunday's final, Ding said the best-of-19 match would help him a lot as he prepares for the upcoming Worlds.
"I haven't played such a long match recently and the final will surely help me warm up for the World Championship," Ding said.