Ding Junhui claims Welsh Open title Ding Junhui wins his fifth career ranking title, the first of the season, after beating Mark Selby fro...

Ding Junhui claims Welsh Open title

Ding Junhui wins his fifth career ranking title, the first of the season, after beating Mark Selby from England 9-6 in the final of the Welsh Open in Newport, Feb 19, 2012. [Photo/titan24.com]

NEWPORT, United Kingdom - Chinese snooker ace Ding Junhui won his fifth career ranking title on Sunday when he defeated world No 1 Mark Selby 9-6 in the final of the Welsh Open.

The 24-year-old landed his first ranking title for more than two years after hitting back to see off the 'Jester from Leicester' and pocket the £30,000 ($47,619) first prize.

The 24-year-old, a world championship semi-finalist last season, trailed 2-1 early on but hit back to seal a confident victory after building a 5-3 interval lead.

Selby, who knocked out Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals, reduced the deficit to 5-4 but the Chinese player immediately restored his two-frame lead with a break of 83.

Selby took the next with a break of 91 but Ding's first century of the tournament, a 124, meant it was 7-5 at the mid-session interval.

He knocked in a 130 to go to 8-5 but Selby clung on with a clearance of 145 - the highest break of the tournament - to trail 6-8. The final frame was tight but Ding prevailed to victory.

"Mark missed a chance to go 3-1 up but he's very good and I'm very happy to win," said the champion.

Asked if the victory gives him hope ahead of the world championship, Ding added: "I'll practice very hard. I got to the semi-finals last year and hope to do better this year."

Selby said: "I missed too many balls. I had my chances but every credit to Ding - he deserves it."

(Agencies)