Ding win set to spark snooker boost in China

Ding Jun Hui’s remarkable capture of the China Open title is set to spark a snooker boom in his native country which could take the sport into uncharted global territory.

Ding, who turned 18 last week, was selected as a wildcard to compete in the event and made an extraordinary run to the final before beating seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry 9-5 to claim the trophy.