China Open 2014 - Ding Equals Hendry's Record in Beijing

Ding Junhui has matched Stephen Hendry's record of winning five ranking titles in the same season by beating world No1 Neil Robertson 10-5 to claim victory in the final of the China Open, Beijing. 

Photos courtesy of Tai Chengzhe. All results from the China Open can be found here.

Ding had already won the Shanghai Masters, Indian Open, International Championship and German Masters in the past six months and is now one win away from overhauling Hendry's 23-year-old record.

It was also the first time the 27-year-old Ding has lifted the China Open trophy since he won the event ten years ago, beating Steve Davis as a wildcard and propelling himself onto the world stage. 

From the start of the final, Ding always looked the stronger player and made a top run of 119 as well as three other half-centuries on the way to a dominating 7-2 lead against Robertson at the end of the session.

Two breaks of 57 helped the Australian pull the match back to 9-5 but it was too late for a comeback and Ding finished with a fine 66 in the 15th frame to seal the victory, his 11th ranking title.

"Neil was sharp today, especially during the evening," said Ding. "I spent a lot of energy to restrict him during the first session and did my best to score whenever I got a chance in the balls.

"I can't say how I feel about winning five ranking titles in a season. With so many wins, my mindset is very different than what it was a few years ago.

"I'm getting much more experience playing in these finals, especially when I played Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Welsh Open final. I think I learned a lot from that match. I hope there will be more finals to come."

There is just one chance left for Ding to beat Hendry's record of ranking titles in a season and that is at the event that matters the most, the Dafabet World Snooker Championship at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Check out the draw for the qualifiers which start on Wednesday here.

Ding Junhui - China Open 2014 Champion