Ding sets up encounter against O'Sullivan at snooker UK Championships

LONDON - Ding Junhui set up a last 16 encounter against defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan as the top snooker player of China defeated Ali Carter 6-4 at snooker UK Championships in York on Tuesday.

Ding, 32, took the opening four frames in a row with top break of 104. Carter hit back to trail in 4-5 but two-time champion Ding ended the match with a break of 116 in the 10th frame.

Ding will face O'Sullivan who surpassed Thai player Noppon Saengkham 6-2.

"I'm looking forward to it. I like playing Ding," said the world number two O'Sullivan. "He looked playing good. It should be fun."

Liang Wenbo of China ousted Eden Sharav 6-4 before another Chinese player Yan Bingtao beat Jack Lisowski 6-3.

Liang is going to play against compatriot Li Hang who saw off Marco Fu from Hong Kong of China 6-4 on Monday. 19-year-old Riga Masters champion Yan will challenge Australia's Neil Robertson.