China’s Ding Junhui has won the 2011 Ladbrokes Masters as he defeated fellow countryman Marco Fu in the first all Asian major snooker final. It is reported that a staggering worldwide TV audience of over 300 million tuned in to watch the match, eventually being won by Ding 10-4.
Fu never really got going in the final and it was the young Chinese sensation ding, who flew out of the blocks with a fabulous 120 break to take the opening frame and ultimately set the tone for the match. Fu, who never really got going throughout the final, made a poor break of in the second to give Ding an opportunity that he duly took with a 74 break which was enough to take the frame and a 2-0 lead before Marco had even potted ball.
Ding took 3 of the next 5 frames to enter the mid session interval 5-2 in the lead and looked on course to win another major title after winning the UK open previously.
Fu, however came out fighting and registered the next two frames after the break with impressive breaks of 69 and 5
6 respectively with scenes of his semi final against Mark Allen spring to mind where he was 4-1 down to come through and win.
However, it was Ding who picked himself up, brushed himself down and motored to a 10-4 victory with breaks of 83 and 85 along the way to picking up the Ladbrokes Masters crown.
A delighted Ding stated afterwards: “The Masters is a big tournament. It will be big news in China.
“It was a great match and I was happy to play Marco in the final.”
