Chinese snooker player Ding Junhui advanced into the second round of the 2016 Welsh Open after defeating Englishman Steven Hallworth in the first round of the said tournament on Monday at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

The 28-year-old former world no. 1 player beat the 20-year-old, 102nd-ranked Hallworth, 4-1, in a "match highlighted by breaks of 86 and 79", as reported by Xinhuanet.

Like Us on Facebook

"I have done a lot of work with (coach) Terry Griffiths and he has helped me," Ding told reporters after the match. "We've been going through what to do every day in practice and I have learned a lot. My ranking is not going well so I will try to do my best to stay in the top 16."

The Jiangsu, China native, who also won the said tourney in 2012 by beating Englishman Mark Selby in the final, 9-6, is currently the world no. 13. He reportedly aims to improve his ranking and going deeper in this tournament will help a lot to achieve his goal.

Ding's opponent in the second round will be 46-year-old Joe Swail of Northern Ireland, the current world no. 58 player.

Ding, who goes by several nicknames such as the "Star of the East", "Enter the Dragon", and "The Chinese Sensation", was one of five Chinese players who have successfully eased into the next round as he joins compatriots Tian Pengfei (4-2 over Ashley Hugill), Li Hang (4-0 over Chris Melling), Yu Delu (4-3 over Ian Glover), and UK Championship runner-up Liang Wenbo (4-0 over Hatem Yassen), as per Shanghai Daily.

Ding is considered China's most successful snooker player of all-time, winning five gold medals and two silvers in the Asian games since 2002, one gold and one silver in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, and a silver in the 2005 Duisburg World Games.

The defending champion of the said tournament is John Higgins of Scotland, who thrashed Andy Hicks of England in the opening round, 4-0. 

TagsChina snooker, China sports, Ding Junhui, Steven Hallworth, 2016 Welsh Open