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Ding Junhui joined the select group of players to have won three ranking titles before their 20th birthdays by beating Ronnie O'Sullivan to lift the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.

The Chinese sensation emulated the fates of O'Sullivan and John Higgins and helped himself to a £30,000 first prize with a 9-6 win at the Waterfront Hall. It follows on from his victories during 2005 when he beat Stephen Hendry to become China Open champion and then last December when he beat Steve Davis at the UK Championship in York.

It was a match befitting of a final. O'Sullivan, still without a ranking title for over 18 months, made the tournament's highest break of 140 in the 11th frame.

And though the former world champion and world number one levelled the scores at 6-6, Ding was not to be denied. In the final three frames he conceded on 35 points as he wrapped up snooker's first ranking tournament of the 2006-07 season.

O'Sullivan, who whitewashed Welshman Dominic Dale 6-0 in the semi-finals, appeared on course to take an elusive title.

Breaks of 52, 115 and 67 put the Essex player 3-1 up. However, Ding, who surprisingly failed to qualify for the final stages of last season's World Championship in Sheffield, hit back in style.

He compiled runs of 71, 58, 103, 42 and 43 to win the last four frames of the opening session.

O'Sullivan scored just four points in the closing four frames of the afternoon as Ding racked up 388 without reply. The first session was all over in just 91 minutes and while O'Sullivan appeared to have turned the tide when play resumed, Ding was not to be denied and succeeded Welshman Matthew Stevens as only the second winner of the Ulster tournament.

O'Sullivan was disappointed but not too downhearted by his defeat.

"I came here to enjoy my game and if I got beat it didn't matter. The important thing was to enjoy it and I did," he said.

Asked for the difference between the players the Chigwell cue man said: "I made too many unforced errors and that was the difference between us. Ding didn't miss much and I did.

"There's no comparison between him and the other youngsters coming through.

"He has a natural gift and doesn't make any mistakes and that's why he is a winner."

Ding's latest title triumph was watched by his mother Chen Xi Jun and her son was delighted to pick up another trophy.

However, he admitted: "This match was more difficult for me than playing Steve Davis in the UK final.

"I always felt under pressure and I had to play better than I did against Steve.

"It's a good start to the season and maybe, at the end of it, I might win the World Championship."