Jester looks on positive side after Ding defeat

Mark Selby took plenty of positives out of his 5-3 defeat to Ding Junhui in the second round of the China Open in Beijing.

It was a high-scoring match at the Beijing Students University Stadium, with two centuries apiece.

Although he was always playing catch-up, Selby was pleased enough with his game as he now turns his attention to the World Championships which start in Sheffield in a little over two weeks’ time.

“Despite the result, it was a great match. It just came down to the run of the ball here and there,” said the Jester from Leicester.

“There are still plenty of positives to take out of it though with the World Championships just around the corner.”

Ding won the opening frame with a break of 126 before adding the next with a run of 56.

Consecutive centuries (101 and 116) put Selby level at the interval, but the Chinese world No.13 hit straight back with a break of 101 to go 3-2 ahead.

Ding took the sixth frame to stand one away from victory before Selby reduced the deficit thanks to a break of 66.

However, a partisan home crowd saw their hero book his place in the quarter-finals as Ding took the eighth frame for a 5-3 win.