Ding takes cues from home crowd

Chinese snooker champion credits raucous local support as key factor in win over Wakelin

After nearly five years without a title, China's Ding Junhui triumphed in front of a raucous home crowd at the World Snooker Tour International Championship in Nanjing, the capital of East China's Jiangsu province, on Sunday.

Ding defeated England's Chris Wakelin 10-7, claiming his first major title since 2019, when he secured his third UK Championship. The win marked a dramatic turnaround for Ding, who has lost the last three finals he has played. It's also the 15th ranking title of his career.

At the post-match award ceremony, Ding was joined by his father, wife and two young daughters, who shared his big moment.