World number nine Ding Junhui has revealed that he is eager to become the first player from China to win the World Championship.
Ding has previously won the UK Championship and the Masters, which has seen expectation increase in his homeland, and that has resulted in China's number one claiming that he wishes that he was an alien.
The 26-year-old told BBC Sport: "When I play in China, people think I will win every tournament I play in. They say 'it is not impossible - you are human'. I wish I was an alien.
"But I like to be the first to set the records. I want to play the best snooker.
Ding will open his campaign against Scotland's Alan McManus.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
