Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui demonstrated veteran composure to advance to the World Snooker Tour Xi'an Grand Prix last 16 on Thursday, overcoming England's Louis Heathcote 5-3 in a tense match.
The 36-year-old from the Chinese mainland dominated early play with a 52-point break followed by a century clearance, establishing a 2-0 lead. After exchanging frames to reach 3-1 at the mid-session interval, Heathcote fought back with a spectacular 121 break. Ding responded immediately with a 115 clearance in the sixth frame, showcasing the precision that has made him Asia's most successful snooker export.
"Competitions have their own rhythm – sometimes the balls just won't drop," Ding told reporters post-match, reflecting on occasional unforced errors. "You prepare, you focus, but the game keeps surprising you."
The victory keeps alive Ding's hopes for his first ranking title since 2019, with the Xi'an tournament attracting global attention as China continues to strengthen its position in professional snooker. The result is particularly significant for Asian sports enthusiasts and investors tracking China's growing influence in international cue sports.
