Ding had won both of their previous meetings and looked in control with several brilliant pots. But the match became sloppy later and was littered with errors. After several exchanges, Ding needed a little bit of luck to seal the opening frame. And here it is. This blue very fortunate to drop in, both players seeing the funny side.

　　Ding was not at his best, and Burnett won the next two frames to move ahead. But Ding took advantage of his opponent’s errors to win the fourth frame and level the match.

　　Burnett then soon regained the lead after a top break of 78.

　　But Ding went on a roll from there. After potting a difficult red in the sixth frame, the local favorite made a brilliant clearance, making a break of 86. And he continued in the same vein, winning the next frame with a break of 80 and putting himself firmly in the driver’s seat. And full of confidence he claimed the eighth and final frame completing a 5-3 win. Ding’ll face Joe Perry in the second round.