Dec. 31 - Chinese snooker star Ding Junhui defeated his rival Chen Junhao 5-1 Saturday in the first round of China Championship of Professional Snooker here on Saturday.

 

Being able to compete in his hometown for the first time, Ding, the world snooker champion, has been well prepared to clinch the title in the coming three days.

 

Ding started loose to lose the first game before he rallied to take the following 5 frames.

 

The victory seemed a odds-on thing in consideration of his excellency in techniques and profound experience. Ding went to rest without a word after the match due to fatigue. The 19-year-old teenager won all 3 gold medals in the Doha Asian Games earlier this month.

 

Ding, born in the city of Yingxing of east China, received the warmest welcome ever from the hometown. He skipped a preliminary qualifying session Friday due to his advantage in the professionals and entered Saturday's first round directly.

 

China Championship of Professional Snooker 2006 lasts for 4 days, and the final is scheduled on Jan. 2.