World No. 13 Ding Junhui from China was knocked out of the Welsh Open snooker 5-3 in the first round by Enland's qualifier Jamie Cope here on Wednesday.
Ding amazingly collected a 134 break in the sixth frame to draw 3-3 with his opponent, but the UK championships title holder couldn't stop Cope, dubbed "shotgun" to take the following two frames.
"I felt uncomfortable during the match because I caught cold two days ago," said Ding, who practiced six to seven hours every day recently to prepare for the ranking tournament. "I couldn't say I played badly, but I failed to concentrate sometimes and made some poor safety."
Ding and Cope equalized at 2-2 before the interval and Cope took the lead for the first time by winning frame five in 78-23. Although Ding came back strongly with a break of 134, Cope wrapped up the match after the eighth frame.
"He played quite well today," Ding commented on his rival. "He got few mistakes and could always collect the points whenever he can."
Although Ding could not avoid feeling disappointed for his loss, he said he was really satisfied with his mentality on Wednesday.
"I was least nervous today. Even I was 3-2 behind or trailed at 4-3, I still thought I got the chance to win," said Ding.
Ahead of the China Open from March 29 to April 4, Ding's only plan is to go back China to enjoy the Chinese traditional Spring Festival.
In the first competition day on Monday, Chinese qualifier Liu Song and World No. eight Marco Fu from Hong Kong, China, were both defeated in the first round.