Ding Junhui docked frame for wearing wrong trousers in first English Open match - ‘My memory is not good’

ByBen Southby

Published 02/10/2023 at 18:37 GMT+1

It must have slipped Ding Junhui’s mind that the players’ dress code at the English Open is all black, given he turned up in brown trousers for his match against Ma Hailong. A last-minute dash to the shops was required - the Chinese player was docked a frame for being late - before scraping through following a seven-frame thriller. “I totally forgot,” Junhui professed. “My memory is not good!”

Ding Junhui was docked a frame in his opening English Open match after arriving late because he had worn the wrong trousers.

He turned up for his match against Ma Hailong in Brentwood on Monday wearing his usual brown trousers, which isn’t allowed at the English Open given it has an “all black shirt and trousers” dress code.

Ding had no option but to send a friend to the local shops to pick up a suitable pair, and forfeit the opening frame for being late.

Cazoo World Championship

Why O'Sullivan could face Crucible minefield in quest for record eighth world title

04/04/2024 at 22:34

“I totally forgot that I needed a black shirt and trousers for this tournament,” admitted 36-year-old Ding. “My memory is not good!

“I didn’t think about it. Once I was playing I tried to just concentrate on the match. Luckily Ma’s safety was not that good and he gave me enough chances to win.”

Already a frame down, Junhui fell 3-1 behind before fighting back to win the following three frames to beat his compatriot.

• Robertson putting family life second in bid to 'get back to winning tournaments'
• 'Rolling back the years' – Williams joins fellow Welsh icon Reardon in snooker golden list
• Williams holds off Selby to become second oldest ranking title winner

The 36-year-old 14-time ranking event winner is among the players that will join Ronnie O’Sullivan in the second round after The Rocket thrashed Andrew Pagett 4-0 despite nursing a sore elbow.

O'Sullivan admits elbow injury is 'no good' after English Open win

Video credit: TNT Sports

There has already been an early upset with Neil Robertson exiting on day one. He was beaten by 72nd-ranked Brit Sanderson Lam 4-2.

- - -

Stream the 2023 English Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

Snooker

'You wouldn’t see that at a normal tournament' - Fu on O'Sullivan v Trump exhibition

27/03/2024 at 08:47

Snooker

'He's done amazing to come back' – Knowles explains why O'Sullivan hasn't quit sport

25/03/2024 at 18:36

Snooker

O'Sullivan and Trump set for world No. 1 battle at Tour Championship as Crucible top 16 confirmed

25/03/2024 at 13:05