David Gilbert salutes snooker "God" Ding Junhui after defeating Chinese hero on home soil

World number 32 Gilbert - who had to win two qualifying matches to reach these main venue, televised stages in Taiyuan - produced a brilliant performance to eliminate the number 15 seed who enjoyed encouragement from a big, partisan audience.

Gilbert took the opening frame with the help of a 69, but Ding levelled after a 76. However, Englishman Gilbert - who narrowly missed out on a second ranking event title at the Championship League only a few weeks’ ago - went 3-1 up following runs of 53 and 67.

After the mid-session interval, the 45-year-old upped the scoring, racking up efforts of 72, 110 and 113 in a resounding 6-1 win. Across those final three frames, Ding scored just 12 points.

Victory for Gilbert served up a bit of payback for his loss to Ding in the opening round of this year’s World Championship in April. On that occasion, the Chinese star scored a 10-5 win.

David Gilbert thanks Ding Junhui for “what he has done for snooker”

Speaking to the World Snooker Tour after his progression in the record-breaking £1.2 million+ ranking event, Gilbert said he was very pleased with his display, and saluted 15-time ranking event winner Ding for the influence he has had on the sport in the Far East - a spark that ignited when ‘The Dragon’ claimed the 2005 China Open crown as an 18-year-old.

Former world number 10 Gilbert said: "It was a big performance, much needed. I wasn't expecting such a big crowd so when I walked in I thought 'wow'. Ding is a god and we can only thank him for what he has done for snooker, I have so much respect for the guy. To get a win over him and to play well is brilliant for me.”

Gilbert reflects on work ethic and reveals change he has made

Two-time Crucible semi-finalist Gilbert has had a couple of quiet seasons on the professional circuit; before his Championship League final appearance in July, he hadn’t been to the last eight of a ranking tournament since September 2024.

But he has enjoyed a very encouraging start to the fledgling 2026/27 top-flight term, also qualifying for the main draw phases of the upcoming Wuhan and Shenzhen Open ranking events.

"I have gone missing over the last couple of years and not worked hard enough, so I knew my results would dip” said Gilbert.

“Over the last couple of months I have locked myself away in a new snooker room I have in Tamworth. It's nice to show that I can still play a bit. I have wasted a lot of years at this game. It's time to settle down a bit, I am no spring chicken any more. I am never going to be a Mark Selby or Judd Trump, I just want to do as well as I can for the time I have left."

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 China Open, visit our tournament information centre here.