Ding Junhui is within sight of a place in the knockout stages of the six-Red World Championship after winning his first two matches. The competition, held at the Bangkok Convention Centre, consists of eight groups of four players. The top two from each group qualify for the last 16 when it becomes a knockout tournament and Ding is in a good position to get through to that stage.

He beat Mohamed Khairy 5-3 on Monday and then claimed victory over Akani Songsermsawad 5-4 on Tuesday. He is the only player in Group E to have two wins out of two and is therefore in pole position to get through to the last 16.

He will ensure a place by winning his final group game, against Jimmy Robertson on Wednesday. However, both Robertson and Songsermsawad have one win apiece and, if they both win their respective final matches, they could both go through at the expense of Ding.

Marco Fu meanwhile is in a struggle to qualify from Group G. He lost his opening match 5-4 to Noppon Saengkham and the Thai player followed that victory with another, over Kurt Dunham on Tuesday.

Saengkham is therefore in a good position to get through to the last 16 and he will ensure a place if he beats the other player in the group Luca Brecel. Fu beat Brecel 5-4 on Tuesday and will need to win against Dunham on Wednesday, and probably by a good margin, to book a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

The final of the tournament takes place at the weekend and the defending champion Mark Williams is one of those likely to be in the last 16 this year having won both of his opening games.

Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan is 5.00 to win the UK Championship this year with Stuart Bingham 34.00 and Mark Williams 13.00.