Ding's historic quest draws global spotlight

Chinese icon taking aim at world title

LONDON - Chinese cue maestro Ding Junhui might not have had a great season, but all of China and millions of neutral observers around the globe hope to see him go one better than last year and become Asia's first world snooker champion.

The 30-year-old, who lost to Mark Selby in the 2016 final, begins his campaign against 19-year-old compatriot Zhou Yuelong on Monday.