Chinese snooker prodigy Ding Junhui made an impressive debut at Wembley Masters in London Monday with a 6-3 win over world number 16 Joe Perry in the first round.  

The 16-year-old, who hails from east China's Jiangsu Province, became the first Chinese player, and the youngest ever, to compete in the sport's most prestigious invitation event.

Ding, who started playing the sport at nine, fully demonstrated his talent in 2002 by winning the world under-21 championships, the Asian Senior Championships and the under-21 championships, as well as the Asian Games.

His exceptional talent fast tracked him to the snooker's Main Tour last September and earned one of the only two wild cards to the Wembley Masters, which features the world's top 16 ranked players.

Ding justified the organizer's selection with an emphatic win over Perry when he showed not only his ability but also his age-belying temperament.

Unfazed by his experienced opponent, Ding notched up breaks of 108 and 118 on his way to the victory that set up a meeting with world number five Stephen Lee on Tuesday evening.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, the current world number three, believes that Ding will be world champion one day.

"I have only seen him play a frame or so, but he is a quality act," said O'Sullivan.

"The future should be good for him, but the important thing is that no one should put pressure on him," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)