Snooker

[winston]

Ding crushes Fu to clinch Masters


LONDON — China's Ding Junhui brushed aside Marco Fu of Hong Kong 10-4 on Sunday to take the Masters title in the first all-Asian final in the history of snooker's major tournaments.

An estimated worldwide television audience of over 100 million watched the victory, which brought Ding revenge for his defeat to Fu in last year's Asian Games in Guangzhou and a winner's cheque for 150,000 pounds.

Ding, who beat former world champions Mark Williams and Graeme Dott to reach the final, swept into a 6-2 lead after the first session at Wembley with breaks of 120, 74, 61, 57 and 60.

Fu reduced the deficit to two frames but Ding coolly blasted a 94 and 83 on his way to clinching four straight frames to complete victory.

"The Masters is a big tournament. It will be big news in China," said Ding, a two-time UK Champion.

"It was a great match and I was happy to play Marco in the final."

Ding said he is not concerned that Sunday's win will increase the pressure on him to win the world title at the Crucible later this year.

"I'm not worrying about the world championships. This will give me more confidence and I will try hard this year but it is so hard," he said.

"I think I need more experience in the long game. My short game is OK but my long game is different. I need to concentrate more."

However, Fu believes his Chinese rival is close to becoming a world champion.

"It's just a matter of time before he wins it," Fu said.

"He has the skills to win the Worlds but maybe in the past he has just come up against tough opponents. Give him a few more years and he'll do it."

The Hong Kong star conceded he was outclassed on Sunday.

"I'm playing good but not good enough," said Fu. "I felt nervous and Ding punished me. I should have won some of the close frames."

Sunday's victory also helped Ding erase the tearful memory of his 10-3 defeat to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final.


Source: AFP