Snooker: Ding Junhui survives scare to beat Wattana

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Ding Junhui survived a major scare at the Hong Rui Ma Yushan World Open as the Chinese defending champion battled back from the brink of a shock early exit on Monday night.

Playing in Yushan, the former number one world snooker player let a 3-1 lead slip as his 48-year-old opponent James Wattana reeled off breaks of 59, 54 and 102 to move within a frame of victory.

However, Ding steadied to book his place in the next round, drawing level at 4-4 before sealing victory with an 80 in the ninth frame.

Ding Junhui battles through 5-4 against former world number three James Wattana after an early scare. /CGTN

World champion Mark Williams also avoided an early upset in his opening match of the World Open with a 5-4 win over lowly-ranked German player Lukas Kleckers.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old home favorite Liang Wenbo was dumped out of the competition after suffering a humbling 5-1 defeat at the hands of Britain's James Cahill.

The 22-year-old Cahill only gained a place in the event as one of the leading players from the Q School ranking list, but breaks of 61, 52 and 57 saw off world number 19 Liang.

(With inputs from agencies)