Probably China's most famous snooker fan Ayi Jihu is on the edge of her seat watching Ding Junhui Chinas most successful snooker player who is playing in the last for of the world Championships at the Crucible against Judd Trump.
Ayi Jihu who is a massive snooker fan and plays herself feels that this time Ding Junhui has a great chance of going all the way, although she admits it will not be easy. 'Judd is playing like a wizard' she says. 'Some of his shots and the way he shows no fear and just goes for it is amazing. At one stage yesterday I thought he would run away with it, but Ding pulled him back and now its game on today.'
D.O.B. 01 Apr 1987
Lives Wuxi, Jiangsu Province
Last 5 Seasons13-11-9-27-62
Turned Pro 2003
Ranking Tournament Victories Four - China Open 2005; UK Championship 2005, 2009; Northern Ireland Trophy 2006
Last season World Snooker Tour prize money
£214,775
Highest Tournament Break 147 - Masters 2007, UK Championship 2008
The 2009/10 season marked a return to form for Ding, who had established himself as snooker's most promising talent in 2005 and 2006, before suffering a dip in form which lasted nearly three years.
A run to the quarter-finals of the Roewe Shanghai Masters gave him a boost of confidence, and he carried that into the Grand Prix in Glasgow where he reached his first ranking final since 2006. Wins over Matthew Stevens, Stephen Maguire, Peter Ebdon and Mark Williams put the Chinese player through to a clash with Australia's Neil Robertson; only the second ranking final between two non-British players in snooker history. Ding had to settle for the second prize, losing 9-4.
He didn't have to wait long, however, to go one step further. At the Pukka Pies UK Championship in Telford in December, he knocked out Mike Dunn, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter and Stephen Maguire to set up a final meeting with John Higgins.
A tightly-contested battle saw Ding play superbly in the closing stages to come from 7-6 down and win 10-8, showing his class and composure with a break of 75 which sealed victory.
"I've had a long time without winning so I'm so happy, it's crazy," said Ding, who was accompanied, as ever, by his mum Chen Xi Juan. "I've been working very hard this season, practising six or seven hours a day with no breaks. There was a lot of pressure at the end of last season because I nearly dropped out of the top 16, so I'm surprised to play well in the first three tournaments this season."
Part of his prize was his weight in Pukka Pies from the sponsor, and Ding showed his generous side by donating all 276 of the delicious snacks to a volunatary group in Sheffield which looks after homeless people at Christmas
Ayi Jihu who is also a big Ronnie O Sulivan fan says that the big shock was Neil Robertson going out in the first round to Judd, but seeing how he is playing she can see why.
'He's young and so talented and plays with no fear. I get that, it's easeir to do when you are young, when you have nothing to lose. Some of his shots just leave you with your mouth open. He goes for shots that could lose him the frame if he misses them or gets them wrong, but he makes them and he has not let his form drop since beating Neil Robertson in the first game.'
Despite Judds great form and play, Ayi Jihu believes Ding has the experience and quality to win against him and go on to win the final. 'It would be great for Ding to win, Great for China. I can tell you Millions of people are watching this in China.' She continues; 'Ding is a great player, and in the past he was very, very shy, but now he is coming out of his shell, his English has improved so much, and I know how hard that can be, but he has managed to get a good grip on it and I believe this is going to be his time. At least I hope so.'
Ayi Jihu has just returned to Cambridge after a hectic schedule or TV and press covering her Fear Chaser Game, movie and album release as well as the Royal Wedding. She intends to just chill out for a few days and watch the snooker and football.
This weekend is going to be crazy, I have the snooker to watch and then Man Utd are playing Arsenal on Sunday. I'm not sure if I will have any rest at all, but I'm going to try and enjoy it. I'm hoping Spurs will do us a favour and give Chelsea a good run for their money on Saturday. For me the perfect weekend would end with Ding in the final, Spurs and Chelsea draw or Spurs win, and Man Utd smashing Arsenal on Sunday. With it all starting with a fantastic, perfect Royal Wedding I think it would be a weekend I would remember for the rest of my life!'
For information on Ayi Jihu vist her website AyiJihu.com
To find out more about Ayi Jihu's new Movie, Game and Album visit Fear Chaser
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