NANJING - Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui defeated his Beijing rival Pang Weiguo 5-2 Sunday in the second round of China Championship of Professional Snooker in east China city of Yixing.

China's Ding Junhui prepares to hit his shot during the men's singles snooker against Pang Weiguo 5-2 in the third round of China Snooker Championship of Professional Snooker in Yixing, east China's Jiangsu Province December 31, 2006.[Xinhua]

Ding started slow in warming-up as yesterday and both sides missed a couple of chances unexpectedly. He then caught up his momentum and rallied to take the following 3 frames after they drew with 2:2. The 19-year-old teenager has been in high profile when he withdrew from play-offs of snooker's Premier League earlier this month and later gained all 3 gold medals instead in the Doha Asian Games representing China.

Ding, born in the city of Yingxing of east China, received the warmest welcome ever from the hometown. Despite certain fatigue, strong support from his fans and local fellow seems to be real solid for his unparalleled show on stage.

Ding has been well expected to meet Jinlong, second in China, yet the latter's unexpected failure today seems to have paved Ding's way to his yet another title.

China Championship of Professional Snooker 2006 lasts for 4 days, and the final is scheduled on January 2.