China's Ding Junhui stormed into the last 16 of snooker's UK Championship after a close 6-4 win over fellow Chinese Xiao Guodong in York on Tuesday. 

Thanks to the emphatic victory, China's top-ranked cueist has bolstered his chances of picking up a third title at the event, where he was a winner in 2006 and 2009.

Earlier, Ding started well by landing a couple of long reds in the opening frame. The world number eight didn't leave any opportunities for his opponent as he made the clearance with a break of 99.

After winning the second, the 31-year-old sunk a blue before extending the lead to 3-0. 

Xiao, the world number 25, then valiantly fought back and cleared the table with a break of 126 in the fourth to make it 3-1.

He kept the momentum going to level things up at 4-4 when he cleared the table in the 8th. 

He missed the chance to go further in front but failed to sink this long red in the next frame. 

Subsequently, Ding seized control and made a 31 clearance to edge 5-4 ahead before closing out a 6-4 win in frame ten with runs of 34 and, then, 50. He will next face Martin O'Donnell in the last 16.