Ding Junhui stunned by wild card in first round

HAIKOU, China - Chinese star snooker Ding Junhui suffered a stunning first round elimination at the 2012 Snooker Haikou Open on Tuesday, upset 1-5 by his countryman Jin Long.

Chinese star snooker Ding Junhui plays against Jin Long during his first round elimination at the 2012 Snooker Haikou Open in Haikou, South China's Hainan province, Feb 28, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Just nine days after claiming the title of Welsh Open, the cuemaster Ding was out of his best form. At the beginning of the first session, Ding made mistakes when hitting a red ball, leaving Jin to seize the chance by rattling off a break of 66 points to wrap up the first frame.

And Ding continued to make mistakes at the key point in the next two frames and fell behind 0-3. In the fourth frame, Ding managed a break of 61 points to close the gap to 1-3 in the best-of-nine-frame battle.

During the fifth frame, Jin Long enjoyed a smooth start and went on to grab a 112-16 frame. In the next frame, both sides strengthened the defense, but Jin pocketed a break of 46 points and then outplayed Ding after scoring another 34 points to clinch the surprising victory in 5-1.

"The table is relatively humid, and it is difficult to control the ball. Also, the ball can not go to the right place as I want when making defense," said Ding.

"I am lucky to win today and I always have the chance to get back." Jin Long said. During another match, Judd Trump whitewashed Andrew Peter Higginson 5-0 to reach the next round.

Chinese snooker Jin Long competes against star snooker Ding Junhui during the first round of the 2012 Snooker Haikou Open in Haikou, South China's Hainan province, Feb 28, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]