Defending champion Ding Junhui survived a tough test at the Snooker World Open, beating his compatriot Yuan Sijun 5-3 on Tuesday. Ding lost the first two frames but broke back to win the third. After the 18-year-old Yuan became more aggressive and won the fourth, Ding regained his form from the fifth and went on to take the match by winning four frames in a row, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ding is expecting to have his first baby within the next few days and the world No. 6 said that he is waiting for the call "24 hours a day" in case his wife goes into labor while he is in Yushan. The week-long competition offers a total prize of 735,000 pounds ($9,51,943) with the champion pocketing 150,000 ($1,94,243).