Zhao Xintong became the first World Snooker Championship winner from China when he conquered the Crucible last year, downing Mark Williams in the final. Having been the flagbearer for Chinese snooker for so many years, it had long been Ding who had been expected to make that piece of history.

With only four Chinese players remaining, second-round match between champ and trailblazer could draw biggest TV audience in sport’s history.

Ding Junhui was the trailblazer for young stars such as the defending champion and their pair are locked at 4-4 in the last 16

Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Ding Junhui 6-3 in a memorable first-round match at The Masters after the Chinese player recorded a history-making 147.

CHINESE professional snooker player Ding Junhui has cemented himself as the most successful Asian player in the history of the sport. And supporting him along the way as he’s picked up 15

JOHN HIGGINS and Hossein Vafaei both produced stunning performances to win deciding frame thrillers. John Higgins fought back from the brink of defeat to knock out Ronnie O’Sullivan 13-12.

Ding Junhui ended his five-year wait for a 15th ranking title as he beat Chris Wakelin 10-7 in the final of the International Championship in his native China.

Zhao Xintong moved closer to cracking the so-called ‘Crucible Curse’ with a hard-fought 13-9 win over compatriot Ding Junhui