Ding Junhui sets record with UK final win

China's Ding Junhui became the most successful Asian player in professional snooker history when he beat reigning world champion John Higgins 10-8 in the UK Championship final on Sunday night.

Victory gave Ding, the 2005 UK champion, his fourth ranking event title - surpassing the three titles won by Thailand's James Wattana.

The 22-year-old collected a cheque for £100,000 and in the process became only the seventh player - after Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams, Doug Mountjoy, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Higgins - to win the UK title twice.

It was the first time Ding had won a major tournament since taking the 2006 Northern Ireland Trophy and suggested he'd finally overcome the mental scars inflicted by a 10-3 hammering at the hands of O'Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final.

"I think I am a better player now," Ding told the BBC when asked if he had improved in the four years since winning his first UK title.

"I am more experienced. Now I tell myself 'don't get angry'."

Asked about his prospects of winning a first world title, Ding added: "I am trying every year but there are players better than me but anything can happen in tournaments."

Higgins added: "Ding's safety game was great. I've missed three balls in the last three or four frames, which is unforgivable really. But well done to Ding."

The match, which had been a close contest since it started on Sunday, was all square at 7-7 before Ding opened up a two-frame lead at 9-7.

Ding then potted an impressive long red but lost position on 18. Higgins responded with a fine long red of his own and went on to make an excellent and composed break of 115 to cut Ding's lead to 9-8.

Ding then failed to get enough distance with the cue ball as he attempted a safety shot early in the 18th frame and let Higgins in.

But Higgins, who beat O'Sullivan 9-8 in a thrilling semi-final, missed a red and left it over the pocket to give Ding a chance.

Ding responded with a break of 75 and, although Higgins played on in the search for the snookers he needed, his opponent then potted a long red to set the seal on a fine victory.