Ding blames Masters' fixtures after first-round shock out

LONDON - Defending champion Ding Junhui showed his dissatisfaction to the Masters' schedules, which was always close to Chinese Lunar New Year, after his first round defeat to the British veteran Ronnie O'Sullivan at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

China's top snooker player, 24, was knocked out by the four-time winner of the event in 6-4 and in bad mood due to the fixtures running from January 15 to January 22, blaming it for inconsideration to the foreign players as the final day would be the eve of Spring Festival, most important Chinese festival and a traditional occasion for family reunion.

"They don't care, but I care. I miss my family so much and want to go home," said Ding, who beat Marco Fu from China's Hong Kong to win his first Masters title in 2011.

"No Chinese players want to play near the spring festival. It will affect players' mood and form definitely.

"It's the same, just like on Christmas Day no Brisith snooker players compete too," Ding added.

Apparently slow to get his form, Ding was in the danger of an early exit after local favourite O'Sullivan gained the momentum and took a 4-1 lead.

However, Ding, receiving less supports in a sold-out crowd of 1,500 at the new home of the Masters, showed his stamina and fought back to win the next three frames, levelling the score to 4-4.

"He didn't play well in those frames. And in general, I also played badly and always felt confused," Ding recalled after the match.

Boosted by the home fans, the nicknamed "Rocket" found a second wind to win the critical ninth frame, gaining the match point.

Then, O'Sullivan gave no chance to his opponent and sealed the 6-4 victory in style with a break of 125, arousing a succession of applause and advancing to the last eight.

"The crowd was great," said O'Sullivan. He will face either Judd Trump or Stuart Bingham, who play on Monday.

"Ding is one of the players I would pay to watch so it's a shame we had to draw each other in the first round." the winner added.

Ding also showed his respect to the former world number one.

"He is a great man and very kind to people. Congratulations to him," Ding said.

"For Chinese players, it is always not easy to play here," said Ding, adding that the organisers clearly considered more about their home players than the foreigners.

"I plans to go back to China tomorrow. Having a good festival with family is what I need now," he said.

As the non-ranking invitation event, the Masters, started in 1975, is recognized as one of the three most influential snooker events following the World Championship and UK Championship for its high level of prize and the world's top 16 players' attendances.

The yearly event is moved into Alexandra Palace in 2012, the first time since its more than 30-year stay at Wembly.