Ding - Asian
Growth Good For Snooker
China's top player
Ding Junhui is delighted to see India stage a world ranking event
for the first time as snooker continues to grow in Asia.
Ding has been a role model for the
explosion of interest in the sport in China over the past decade,
winning seven ranking titles and establishing himself as one of
snooker's top stars, followed by millions of fans in his homeland.
Looking ahead to next week's Indian
Open in New Delhi, 26-year-old Ding said:
"I enjoy travelling to
the big events around the world. It is exciting to be going to a new
country and I hope snooker can be successful in India. It's great to
see more and more Asian players doing well in our sport and I have
been very impressed by the two Indians Pankaj Advani and Aditya
Mehta."
"I have played in India
once before, at the Asian under-21 Championship in Calcutta in 2002,
I beat Pramual Janthad 6-2 in the final. I have never been to New
Delhi and I'm really looking forward to going back to India."
World number five Ding goes into the
event full of confidence having won the Shanghai Masters last month.
"It was very important for me to win a big
ranking event in China," he said. "I
didn't feel any pressure before, but winning always gives me extra
confidence."
"I'm very happy with my game and I feel it is stronger now than it
has been in the past. My shot selection is better, I know when to
attack and defend. And my safety has improved a lot which helps me
to create scoring chances.."
The £300,000 Indian
Open will see 64 professional players bidding for the title,
including the likes of John Higgins, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson.
The £300,000
tournament at the Le Meridian Hotel in New Delhi will see 64
professional players bidding for the title, including the likes of
John Higgins, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Ding Junhui.
Ruhr,
Germany :: 05 October
2013
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