Prodigy Ding upsets Ebdon at China Open snooker

The 17-year-old prodigy Ding Junhui upset former world champion Peter Ebdon with an overwhelmed 5-1 win at the China Open snooker in Beijing on Wednesday for a place in last 16.

China's Ding Junhui hits the ball during the match against Peter Ebdon at China Open Snooker Championships in Beijing, March 30, 2005. Ding beat the former world champion 5-0.

The Chinese leading snooker player took perfect breaks of 62, 72, 78,48 and a cool clearance, giving his practice partner Ebdon a tough lesson, to pass the first round.

Ding faces Stuart Bingham of England tomorrow with a chance to reach the quarter finals of the ranking events for the first time.

"Peter wasn't in his best form and I grap my opportunity," said Ding, who is still around 50 in the world rankings, "I wanna to climb into the top 32 next year."

Ebdon repeated in the interview that "Ding played very very very well!"

In the day's other actions, World No.2 Steve Davis secured a lopsided win for a last 16 place. David Gray and world famous Stephen Hendry also passed the first round with an identical 5-1 score.

World No.4 Paul Hunter and Alan McManus reached the next round with much difficulty.

Wild card player Ricky Walden defeated Welsh Matthew Stevens 5-3 for the last 16.

Results of China Open snooker

Following are the complete results of the first round on the fourth day of the China Open snooker on Wednesday:

Steve Davis, England bt Michael Holt, England, 5-0 (best of nine frames)

Alan McManus, Scotland, bt Anthony Hamilton, England, 5-4

Paul Hunter, England bt Allister Carter, England, 5-4

Stephen Hendry, Scotland, bt Robert Milkins, England, 5-1

David Gray, England, bt Ryan Day, Wales, 5-1

Ding Junhui, China, bt Peter Ebdon, England,5-0

Richy Walden, Wales, bt Matthew Stevens, Wales, 5-3

Stuart Bingham, England,bt Graeme Dott, Scotland, 5-3

Source: Xinhua