Ding Junhui. Picture by Monique Limbos

DING JUNHUI claimed the season’s first piece of silverware after victory over Michael Holt earned him Yixing Open glory.

The Chinese number one, winner of five ranking events last season, held off a strong fightback from the Nottingham star to get his hands on the first Asian PTC event of the 2014/15 campaign.

Ding beat Jamie Burnett and Ryan Day in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively and looked set for a crushing win in the final when he led Holt 3-0 in the final with a top break of 84.

But Holt fought his way back into the contest winning the next two frames but the day proved ended in Ding glory after he clinched the match with a break of 88.

The victory is a return to form for Ding who ended his best season ever on such a low note losing in the first round of the World Championship to qualifier Michael Wasley back in April. Adding to that he returned to the baize with a surprising 5-0 loss to amateur Oliver Brown in the Wuxi Classic qualifiers.

“I played consistently well in the tournament and kept determined through to the end,” Ding said.

“I knew I was in good form and it showed in the tournament. I was able to concentrate every time I make a mistake or a clearance.”

The first major competition of the season – the Wuxi Classic – begins on Monday (June 23).