Ding Junhui's top-16 spot under threat after shock China Open defeat as David Gilbert hails defeated opponent 'a god'

Ding Junhui has spoken of his ongoing dream to become only the third player from China to win the world title, but the former UK and Masters champion suffered a nightmarish defeat to David Gilbert at the China Open that could see him lose his coveted spot in the sport's top 16.

Despite enjoying vociferous home support in the city of Taiyuan, Ding could not make a meaningful impact on the match as two-time Crucible semi-finalist Gilbert swept to a 6-1 victory with a series of heavy breaks.

A 76 run from Ding in the second frame saw him cancel out an opening 69 from Gilbert before the world No. 32 produced knocks of 53, 67, 72, 110 and 113 to secure a last-16 meeting with world champion Wu Yize or Yao Pengcheng.

"It was a big performance, much needed," said Gilbert, who lost 3-2 to 2024 world runner-up Jak Jones in last month's Championship League final.

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"I wasn't expecting such a big crowd so when I walked in I thought 'wow'. 

"Ding is a god, and we can only thank him for what he has done for snooker. I have so much respect for the guy. To get a win over him and to play well is brilliant for me.

"I have gone missing over the last couple of years and not worked hard enough, so I knew my results would dip.

"Over the last couple of months I have locked myself away in a new snooker room I have in Tamworth. It's nice to show that I can still play a bit. I have wasted a lot of years at this game. It's time to settle down a bit.

"I am no spring chicken anymore. I am never going to be a Mark Selby or Judd Trump, I just want to do as well as I can for the time I have left."

While Gilbert was happy with his performance, Ding could lose his top-16 spot when the first major ranking event of the season concludes next Sunday.

He is 15th on the provisional list with 464,850 points, 36,850 points ahead of Si Jiahui in 16th place, with Zhang Anda occupying 18th spot, 101,250 points adrift of Ding.

World No. 17 Jack Lisowski failed to qualify for the final stages of the event, but there are several players competing in China who will aim to regain their spot among the elite of the game.

Zhang would need to claim the title to move above Ding in the rankings, but Stuart Bingham and Zhou Yuelong, who defeated three-time China Open winner Mark Williams 6-3 in another surprise result on Saturday, could also move into the top 16 if they can carry off the £250,000 first prize.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Ding has been a mainstay of the top 16 for the past 20 years, reaching a career high of world No. 1 in 2014, but also finished the 2021/22 campaign at 32nd in the rankings.

Whatever happens at the China Open, he will seek a quick return to winning form when he takes on Liam Davies in his tournament opener at the Wuhan Open, which is staged between August 23-29, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Ding famously won the first of his two China Open titles as a teenager in 2005 when he defeated Stephen Hendry 9-5 in the final, but he continues to harbour ambitions to emulate Zhao Xintong and Wu by lifting the sport's biggest prize in Sheffield.

"Winning the World Championship is definitely the ultimate target. It is not only my dream, but also the dream of every snooker player," the 2016 Crucible runner-up told reporters in China.

Zhao wins 'battle of China' against Ding to reach quarter-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

"The goal is still there, and so is the dream. I believe the best era for Chinese snooker may just be beginning. Many young players are steadily growing and developing.

"We have not only Wu Yize and Zhao Xintong. I also have high hopes for Chang Bingyu and several newly-turned professional players.

"They have only just stepped onto the professional circuit and still need time to mature. Their prospects are highly promising."

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