Ding Junhui eliminated by Mark King 5-4

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By CCTV correspondent Peter Koveos

The Snooker Shanghai Masters continued in China’s largest city on Tuesday. Local favorite Ding Junhui took on Mark King in the first round. To the disappointment of the audience, Ding lost his way after a bright start.

Ding has a relatively poor record in his homeland, having not won a ranking title here since his maiden victory at the 2005 China Open. But the 25-year-old was in good form Tuesday, taking the first three frames with a top break of 89.

King fought back in the fourth, while Ding looked lost and tired. King won two scrappy frames then knocked in a 74 to even things at 3-3.

The next two were shared, then both players had chances in the decider. Ding missed a very fine cut on a red when trailing by 12 points. Ding then snookered King with an excellent move.

But his opponent finally doubled the green to earn a berth in the last 16.

Ding Junhui said, "Mark played better in the last few frames. He made some good shots while making very few mistakes. So it’s hard for me. I really wanted to do well. There were some chances and I just could not focus."

Mark King said, "There’s a lot of pressure on Ding with so many people watching him. If we had played that match in the UK he would have won 5-1 or 5-2. When I got a frame on the board I settled down, and he started missing a few. It was easier for me because I was relaxed and had nothing to lose."