China's top cueman Ding 'Enter the Dragon' Junhui defeated England's David Gilbert 4-1 in the first round of the Ladbrokes Players Championship at the Event City in Manchester on Tuesday.

Ding has demonstrated an improved form in recent weeks, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Welsh Open against the world no. 3 Neil Robertson in Cardiff. He reached the semifinals of the World Grand Prix and has entered now into the last 16 this week to face either Belgian Luca Brecel or Michael White from Neath, Wales.

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According to Xinhua, Ding's good results have seen the former world No. 1 climb from 19th to 17th and if he can manage to get into the top 16 by the end of next week's China Open then he will need not to qualify for the World Championship.

"I'm starting to trust and believe in myself. I'm not sure about the rankings, I'll just keep going and do my best in the last three tournaments," the Ding said.

Ding is considered China's most successful professional snooker player. He has won three ranking titles and became the only second teenager after John Higgins of Scotland to claim the feat that includes the prestigious UK Championship.

Ding 28, has compiled more than 390 century breaks during his career and has equaled the record set by Scottish Stephen Hendry of winning five ranking titles in the same season in 2013-14 snooker season.

Meanwhile, in other matches at the tournament, World Grand Prix champion Shaun 'The Magician' Murphy of England defeated Ding's fellow Chinese Liang Wenbo 4-1, setting up a second round showdown with either Mark Williams or Dominic Dale.

The 2007 Grand Prix winner Marco Fu of Hong Kong edged out Scottish Alan McManus 4-3 in a dramatic finish to earn a second round match with either Tom Ford or Ricky Walden. 

TagsDing Junhui, players champioships, marco fu, Shaun Murphy, John Higgins, Welsh open, China Open