Five years ago this April, Ding Junhui beat Stephen Hendry 9-5 to win the China Open in Beijing.
If Dennis Taylor v Steve Davis in 1985 was the high watermark of the UK snooker boom, so this match will be remembered as significant in the story of the sport in China.
Had Ding not won, who knows whether snooker would have enjoyed the success it has in the world’s most populated country?
Barry Hearn, now the WPBSA chairman, led forays to China in the early 1980s and the first ranking event was staged there in 1990 but it was nine years until the second.
After the 2002 China Open, none more were held there until 2005. That tournament was a one-year deal but Ding’s success has seen two ranking events, fully funded by the Chinese, added to the calendar.
This weekend, Ding plays Hendry again in a best-of-25 frames ‘East v West’ exhibition match to be screened live on Chinese television and online around the world.
Hendry has said in the lead up that he expects Ding to become world champion. I agree with him, although, of course, this doesn’t mean anything. There are plenty of talented players who have never won the Big One, despite predictions to the contrary.
Ding has already won two UK Championship titles but does he have the temperament to last 17 days at the Crucible?
To win the World Championship, a player needs vast reserves of mental stamina to cope with the unique pressures Sheffield produces.
For Ding, this is multiplied by the fact that there are many, many millions following his every shot back home.
But it’s noticeable that his fortunes have improved this season just as Liang Wenbo has broken through as a likely top 16 player.
Liang’s progress has maybe spurred Ding on and perhaps removed some of the pressures a lone flag bearer would feel.
He seems single minded in the same way Hendry was and his shyness masks an inner steel.
It seems possible that he can in future emulate some of Hendry’s achievements, although it’s unlikely he will overtake them.
Then again, it’s unlikely anyone else will either.
25 comments:
How much is it?
I believe it's free
Snooker © The Fine Art Method
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Dear Dave
How are you! Thanks again for showing the “Fine Art” posts; you are a very brave man Dave for bucking the establishment. Steve and Barry are probable very busy looking around for new sponsors and possible searching “Bookie Shops” all over China.
That was very generous of Stephen Hendry to tip Mr Ding as a future world champ. Stephens’s opinion though not original has seven times more value than an earlier tipster Mr Ebden, the first serious practice partner to Mr Ding.
The possibility of Mr Ding being a world champion in England is marginally only greater Dave than a female player being crowned world champion.
The “Fine Art” opinion will not be welcomed to the many Chinese gamblers with there money already down.
Lady players are so obsessed by “Being as good as men” that few will ever be a regular century break player. Hundred break players are ten penny from the age of fourteen and never make the professional circuit.
The game is still in its infancy, though the professional game is almost one hundred years old. For a Chinese player to go on top Dave; the lad would have to suffer from “Chronic Home Sickness”. Mr hey you
Snooker © The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared
Dear Dave How are you! Thanks again for showing the “Fine Art” posts; you are a very brave man Dave for bucking the establishment. Steve and Barry are probable very busy looking around for new sponsors and possible searching “Bookie Shops” all over China.
That was very generous of Stephen Hendry to tip Mr Ding as a future world champ. Stephens’s opinion though not original has seven times more value than an earlier tipster Mr Ebden, the first serious practice partner to Mr Ding.
The possibility of Mr Ding being a world champion in England is marginally only greater Dave than a female player being crowned world champion. The “Fine Art” opinion will not be welcomed to the many Chinese gamblers with there money already down.
Lady players are so obsessed by “Being as good as men” that few will ever be a regular century break player. Hundred break players are ten penny from the age of fourteen and never make the professional circuit.
The game is still in its infancy, though the professional game is almost one hundred years old. For a Chinese player to go on top; the lad would have to be something special. Mr hey you
dave can you tell us the broadcast times for over here in the uk is it over staurday and sunday?
where will the match be played and where can it be watched online?
wenbo just lost in final qualifying round i said here a few weeks ago that i thought he was totally overated and he has very little regards of a b game if he is not potting from all angles he seems to lack the appetite for a tactical battle
Follow the link in the story
Liang has lost in Prestatyn, so his top 16 hopes are resting on him making it to Sheffield. The same now has to be said about Ricky Walden. He looked a near certainty at the start of the campaign but he has hit the buffers.
Delighted to see Drago, McManus and Wattana all in the final round. Think Drago will be the only one who makes it. I reckon Sam Baird to beat Fergal O'Brien is my nap of the afternoon.
Dave, are they having home wildcards at the China Open again? I think it is silly when you have six or seven chinese players attempting to qualify and Ding certain to be there. They did not hold Liang's match over so I was thinking they might not be as bothered about having so much home participation this time.
Don't know by I suspect so, even though I think it's got to the point where they are not needed because most Chinese fans are interested in the top players
I suppose it would be very unfair but if you are giving out Chinese wildcards then surely the crowd would like too see Liang get one. As the players who receive the invite are barely heard of to most I would imagine. I am mainly concerned as if the 'Tornado' and the 'Thaiphoon' qualify they will have to deal with a wildcard unjustly I feel.
I feel the wildcards may benefit the qualifiers who play them. It allows them to get in valuable match practice against opposition they should beat 9 times out of 10.
Click on this link
http://www.dingvhendry.com/
and David is right - it's free.
All you have to do is register.
Hi Dave, just wondering if i could canvas your opinion on young Luca Brecel.
Have u seen him play?
How highly do u rate him?
Do u think he could emulate stephen hendry by becoming the youngest ever world champion?
many thanks Dave, keep up the good work.
Yes I have seen him play and he looks very good. I'm not going to make predictions about his future but he seems to have a very good temperament.
I hope he does well because we need new blood and a European youngster is a bonus in a sport dominated by Brits.
Drago is just playing so well, what is his secret? He must be watching Red Dwarf on DVD to make him feel like it's 1988 again.
I see Judd Trump made three centuries in his victory over Tom Ford. Excellent to see Drago and Wattana make it through, but it's back to the drawing board still for Jimmy White.
in ten years the sport could be dominated by asian players perhaps. personally as i have said before i doesn't matter to me in individual sports where they are from as long as there is top quality snooker being produced like there is now even though there are not many nationalities on show.
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE LATEST SCORE OF DING V HENDRY CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE, DAVE THE HERO COME TO THE RESCUE
It's 10-2 overnight to Ding
"DOES ANYONE KNOW THE LATEST SCORE OF DING V HENDRY CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE, DAVE THE HERO COME TO THE RESCUE"
given the fact that it has been advertisied by 110sport for weeks and that there is a dedicated website mentioned in David's blog and on this page, I take it your name isn't Hercule Poirot
Thank's Miss Marple 9:11pm my name's Stevie i Wonder why?
Snooker © The Fine Art Method
A secret is wasted if not shared
Dear Dave
How are you! You should be commended lad for your patient diligence to some posts. As yet no one has asked you for the correct time, or your favourite or lucky day for playing snooker.
Your opinion on new players as well as the established players should be less cautious as opinions are not binding, merely helpful to your many loyal posts.
Asked about Tony Drago’s good results Dave? It is obvious that Tony has altered his timing and now waits for the “Potted Ball” to be re-spotted. The referee’s correct pace around the table is always a good barometer.
As we all know Dave that Tony played as fast as he could move as opposed to as fast as he could think. Good luck to the lad as that final against Jimmy White has exiled him from his home in Malta. Oh by the way Dave thanks for the posts. Mr hey you.
he should be commended for letting you spout mostly nonsense.
i stopped reading here for a while as i was sick of your posts. some others i know dont read the comments these days, but just the main blog, as theyre not interested in fine art mumbo jumbo.
Maintain up the excellent work fellow blogger, your difficult work is definitly going to pay off.
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