Ding Junhui loses in first round of Indian Open
Last Updated: 12/03/15 1:39pm
Defending champion Ding Junhui crashed out in the first round of the Indian Open but home favourite Aditya Mehta progressed after winning a tough battle against Mark King.
Ding fell to a shock 4-3 defeat to Thailand's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh after hitting back from 2-0 down with breaks of 102 and 119 to lead 3-2.
However, a missed red to the centre pocked on 38 in the sixth frame was the turning point, with Un-Nooh making a clearance then shooting a decisive break of 66 in the last frame.
"This is my biggest win and I'm really happy," 29-year-old Un-Nooh told worldsnooker.com. "Ding is one of the top players and he beat me at the China Open last year, so I had to improve and learn how to beat him.
"I felt a lot of pressure in the last frame because this season I have lost a lot of deciders. This time I had to concentrate and I told myself I must win.
"I don't think I can win a title now, but maybe within the next three or four years if I can improve. If I win my next match I'll be on £6,000 which will really help my ranking."
Mehta, who is India's only professional player, came through 4-3 against King.
"I got off to a quick start because Mark struggled with the conditions, but once he got going it was always going to be tough because he's a very good match player," Mehta said.
"I should have won 4-1 but just didn't land perfect on the black and missed it. I'm glad I was able to put that out of my mind."
In the other games, Graeme Dott beat Robin Hull 4-3, while Luca Brecel came through 4-2 against Fergal O'Brien.
Ricky Walden eased through 4-1 against fellow Englishman Rory McLeod and David Morris whitewashed David Gilbert 4-0.