Ding shrugs off pressure on his Crucible debut

SHEFFIELD - Chinese prodigy Ding Junhui believed he could handle the pressure on him during his first world snooker championship journey.

China's prodigy Ding Junhui shoots a group of photos to promote his first World Championships. [China Foto Press]

The 20-year-old makes his first appearance at the Crucible this year and has been tipped by many as a future world champion. However, the draw paired him with the two-time champion and runaway favourite in the first round.

But Ding said on Thursday that he was undaunted at the prospect of facing Ronnie O'Sullivan in his opening game.

"I'm looking forward to the game against Ronnie. It has happened before, but if I bring my best game I will be difficult to beat," he told media at an organizers' activity.

The last meeting between the pair came in the final of the SAGA Insurance Masters where Ding attempted to walk off when 8-3 down.

Many had attributed his walk-off against O'Sullivan to the pressure of a hostile crowd but Ding refuted those claims.

"I am much stronger than I was then. I was not satisfied with my performance but Ronnie was brilliant, that is what bothered me."

O'Sullivan put an arm round a visibly upset Ding as he tried to leave the theatre and the Chinese was full of praise for 'The Rocket'.

"I can learn a lot from Ronnie as he is very experienced.

"I know him well and I think if he beats me then he will go on and win the tournament," Ding said.

Since that Masters final, Junhui had struggled for form and was surprisingly knocked out of the China Open in the first round by Barry Hawkins.

"I'm concerned. I'm still looking for my best form but I have been practising hard since then and I hope to get back to my best form at the Crucible."

Ding has been in Sheffield for 10 days, during which he trained an average six hours per day. His Chinese agent Zhang Meng and good friend Ren Haojiang are also here to help him.

Despite carrying the hopes of so many of his countrymen on such young shoulders, the Chinese sensation approached his snooker with his renowned extraordinary detachment.

"My mind is peaceful. Normally I don't think about winning the tournament or being a champion, I just try to win every match," said Ding