Chinese number one Ding Junhui made a big statement on the opening day of the Scottish Open as he cruised past compatriot Niu Zhuang 4-0.

The 31-year-old was disappointed to exit the UK Championship at the fourth round stage earlier this month but responded with real class on his first outing since that defeat in York.

Niu remarkably only scored two points during the match and both of them came in the first frame.

Ding then went on a run of 437 unanswered points to get the job done. The eighth seed fired home breaks of 105, 66, 93 and 134 on his way to the victory and he is now priced at 11.00 to win the event.

He is determined to enjoy a long and successful tournament as he tries to secure his place at February’s World Grand Prix in Cheltenham.

Ding told World Snooker: “My position on the one-year list isn’t very good at the moment. I need to try and win some matches and make sure I get into the top 32. I will try to enter some more tournaments, practise harder and see what happens.

“Today was a very good performance against another Chinese player. I played very aggressively and didn’t miss any balls. It felt good.”

One man that will not be joining Ding in the second round is Ronnie O’Sullivan. The fan favourite won his seventh UK Championship on Sunday night but has now decided to withdraw from the event. He was set to take on Daniel Wells on Tuesday but Wells will get a bye into the last 64.