China's Ding now meets Barry Hawkins in the quarter-finals and hopes to reach the semis for the second time. Two years ago he was denied a place in the final by Judd Trump and the 26-year-old Sheffield-based cueman will be determined to go further this time.
Ding came into snooker's biggest event in fine form having won the PTC Grand Finals last month, but started poorly against King and trailed 6-2 after the first session. He fought back superbly in the second session yesterday and established a 9-7 lead, and always looked in control during today's concluding chapter.
Breaks of 49 and 69 gave Ding the first frame today. Gritty King, who was bidding to reach the Crucible quarter-finals for the first time, battled back to win the next two scrappy frames and make it 10-9. But Ding raised his game to take the next two with breaks of 104 and 98 for 12-9. He made a 52 in the next before running out of position with two reds left. But a poor safety on the last red from King cost him any hopes of a fight back.
"I will win here one day. Maybe that is this time," said Ding. "I was not happy with the way the first session went. I was playing some bad shots. I just had to make sure that I concentrated really hard the second time. I felt stronger and angrier before the second session.
"In the first round it came as a big surprise to me that all these big name players went out, but to me it is okay. I do not think about how other people are doing. The only thing that I try and concentrate on is my matches.
"I am enjoying it this time. When you are playing badly you have to pick yourself up quickly and get back to winning ways. I am always learning from the matches.
"I approach every game differently just because it always depends on how well your opponent plays. If they are playing well then you need to up your game to put more pressure on them, if they are not playing well then you need to make sure your game is strong so you can take advantage."
Romford's King said: "I had some form during the first session and then in the second session he played awesome. He was on a totally different planet, when he is hitting the ball like that I do not think there is anybody that will be able to get near him, including Ronnie. If I am to get to the top of the game that is how I have got to play. I am so far behind him and it is unbelievable.
"He is a gentleman around the table and most of our tour is in the far East and China. That is all down to people like Ding and I think we have to thank him for what he has done to this game.
"I am gutted not to win but on the whole I did enjoy it. I was down to number 36 at the start of the season and now I am back up to 28 so I am moving back in the right direction."
