Ding Junhui misses Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes with family to win China Championship game in Guangzhou
Chinese snooker star tells journalists that family won’t have watched his first career victory over Lee Walker, while Marco Fu takes to the table on Tuesday
World number six Ding Junhui came from behind to triumph at the 2018 Evergrande China Championship in Guangzhou on Monday night but the Chinese potter was forced to miss Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations with his family.
After winning the final night session match of the opening day, the headliner was asked by local media whether his family would have watched his victory.
“They care about the results,” Ding responded, “but they won’t watch the game.”
The preliminary round game was held over from qualifying in Preston, presumably because China’s best player is a huge draw for local snooker fans.
The crowd were not rewarded with a classic but Ding was pragmatic and happy with the 5-3 win.
“Winning is a good result. Maybe the process is not very good, but as athletes we try to play every shot and win every game. It’s most important to win the game.” he said.
Ding’s first career victory over notoriously slow-playing Welshman Lee Walker takes the Chinese number one into the last-64 and a meeting with Daniel Wells.
The China Championship is the fourth ranking event of the 2018-19 season.
It takes place at the city’s Tianhe Sports Centre Arena from September 24 to 30.
Ding was not the only local star in action. Liang Wenbo came back from 4-2 down to beat Alfie Burden 5-4, while Chinese amateur Chang Binyu beat Jimmy Robertson 5-3.
Hong Kong’s Marco Fu continues his comeback against China’s Zhang Anda in the evening session on Tuesday.
