Yuan Sijun admits he’ll go into his last-16 clash with Mark King at the Evergrande China Championship full of confidence after defeating Chinese number one Ding Junhui.

Teenager Yuan, who turned professional last year, took a dramatic deciding frame to score the best win of his career so far and reach the last-16 of a ranking event for the first time. His next opponent is King, also high on confidence having breezed past Dafabet Masters champion Mark Allen 5-1.

Having had a chance to defat Ding 5-3, Yuan went in-off on the final black after Ding had got the snooker he needed to get back in the frame and it meant a tense deciding frame. Yuan made 55 in the decider before missing a tricky red, allowing Ding to counter with a break of 40. The 13-time ranking event winner saw the final red jaw in a baulk pocket and Yuan secured the points needed for a landmark success.

“I was so nervous, I’m still feeling it now,” admitted Yuan afterwards. “It might take a while to get over the emotions.”

“I took one shot at a time. I still got a bit emotional towards the end but I got the luck I needed. I think I can play better in my next match and it’s a boost of confidence to beat Ding.”

Ding knows the youngster is destined for the top, given the raw talent he shows.

“Given his ability, Yuan has got a lot of potential. It was tough because I couldn’t control the white ball in the conditions. But Yuan played well so I’m not surprised to lose,” he said.

Yuan is 1.85 to overcome Mark King, with the veteran Englishman priced at 8.50 to repeat his 5-1 win over Allen from the previous round.