Ding Junhui wins third UK Championship

LONDON -- China's top snooker player Ding Junhui clinched his third UK Championship title, defeating Stephen Maguire 10-6 in York on Sunday.

The win represents Ding's first ranking event title for more than two years and secures his place in the Masters in January.

"I have had to wait a long time to lift a trophy again, and this is a big one," said Ding, who has shown a recovery of form in York where he ousted defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-4 to grab a quarterfinal berth.

The 32-year-old started the final in style, taking a 4-0 lead before Maguire pulled three frames back. The Chinese player grabbed the eighth frame to lead 5-3 after the first session, and then extended his lead to 7-3 by winning the opening two frames of the second session.