China snooker ace Ding Junhui is in action mode ahead of his clash against two-times world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan at the upcoming World Championships. Getting past the former world champion may be a tall order for Ding given his 8-3 thrashing by the Rocket in the final of the Wembley Masters earlier this year.

He has struggled to recover from this loss, crashing out of the Snooker China Open in the second round against Hawkins. He later complained of physical and psychological exhaustion.

To get himself ready, Ding Junhui has been practicing daily in England with good friend and team mate Ren Haojiang.

British media are widely anticipating Ding's early shower but Ding is looking forward to facing his rival.

Ding said, "I'm looking forward to the match, and I haven't felt nervous yet. I hope that I can keep my good form and bring it to the championship. I'll try to play my best."

Ding Junhui's agent Zhang Meng, in England with his protégé, has blamed a lack of pre-game training for Ding's early exit at the China Open. To counter this, they arrived in England two weeks ahead of time to give Ding time to prepare.

(China Daily April 18, 2007)