Ding loses out in China final

The 35-year-old Welshman looked to be in trouble at 5-3 behind in the afternoon session but he won seven of the next eight frames to triumph 10-6.

For Williams it was the 17th ranking title of his career and the first since he won the same event in 2006.

He collects 55,000 and will head to the Betfred.com World Championship in Sheffield later this month full of confidence and poised to clinch a place in the top eight for next season.

For Chinese sensation Ding, who has won more ranking points than any other player this season, there was clear disappointment that he failed to win in front of a large Beijing crowd.

However he lost his way after looking in superb form in the early stages of the match and Williams ruthlessly took advantage.

Williams savoured his victory, saying: "I'm over the moon to win again. It's been a long time coming but I've kept working hard and I felt that in the end the results would come. My safety, my long pots and my break-building have been good and I hope I can take this form now into the World Championship.

"Ding played well today and if he keeps that up he will be one of the favourites. He is more than capable, and after Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins he is the man to beat.

"At the end of the match tonight we were asking each other who we are playing in the first round at the Crucible, and I said, 'Thank God I don't have to play you'."

Ding – who lives in Sheffield during the season – praised Williams's performance and was not too downhearted despite letting his early lead ebb away.

He said: "I played very well and didn't make many mistakes. But Mark dominated a lot of frames in the second session, so I had no chance."