Crucible legends backing Ding to lift the world title

The 23-year-old Chinese player – who is based at the World Snooker Academy at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield – has won just two matches in three previous visits to the famous theatre, but that can be explained away by the fact that his conquerors have been true legends of the game in Ronnie O'Sullivan and, on the last two occasions, Stephen Hendry.

Hendry is among the great admirers of Ding's game, despite knocking him out in the second round in 2008 and 2009.

"There's no doubt that when Ding is in the balls and break-building he's as good as anyone that has ever played," Hendry said.

Hendry delivered that assessment after hitting a purple patch to send Ding crashing out last year, but more recently the reigning world champion John Higgins has taken the praise a step further.

After Ding shocked him in the final of the UK Championship in December, Higgins freely admitted he had lost to a player capable of achieving everything he wants from the sport.

"Technically he is perfect really," Higgins said. "I have no doubt he will lift the world title. He definitely has the game and wins like this will help him as well.

"I would be flabbergasted if he finishes his career without being world champion."

Whether Ding wins the Betfred.com World Championship in 2010 remains to be seen. Certainly he has played well enough since losing to Hendry 12 months ago to be considered a serious contender.

He has captured more ranking points than any other player in the 2009/10 season, reaching the final of the Grand Prix and China Open in addition to his UK Championship triumph.

Doubts over Ding's mental strength linger though, stemming from his harrowing defeat to O'Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final.

It may take a world title to banish those doubts, but the man from Jiangsu province is quite certain he has the focus and drive to prosper on the biggest stage.

Ding explained: "This season I have learned to just concentrate on the balls and that has helped keep my mind clear."

He will have Chinese company at the Crucible, not just in the legions of journalists who will travel from the other side of the world to follow his fortunes.

Liang Wenbo and teenager Anda Zhang will face O'Sullivan and Hendry respectively, in the first round, while Hong Kong's Marco Fu is also in the field.

For now, Ding appears the most likely to give Asia its first world champion.

"I try to do well every year at Sheffield," Ding said. "It is just that everyone seems to just play better than me in that tournament."