Defending champion Zhao Xintong defeated Ding Junhui 13-9 in the China Open at the World Snooker Championships on Sunday, booking a quarter-final berth in the process.
Zhao led 9-7 after Saturday’s match before Ding cut the deficit to one frame with Sunday’s opener.
The 29-year-old, who is looking to become the first ever world champion to retain his world title at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, quickly extinguished any threat to his title defence.
Ding was the first Chinese player to win a title event, but Zhao used a series of errors from his compatriot to pull away.
A break of 108 in the qualifying frame helped set up a last eight clash with former world champion Shaun Murphy.
“Today I think there was more pressure,” Zhao said. “I know Ding did not play well in the last period but the pressure is very high.
