Sheffield, April 22 (IANS): World No.2 Ding Junhui of China was stunned by English qualifier Michael Wasley 10-9 in the first round of the snooker World Championship here.

Ding, who won a record-equalling five ranking titles, led 6-3 after the first session and was on the brink of victory at 9-8 in the afternoon when the match was pulled off Monday, reports Xinhua.

Both players were forced to wait four hours before returning to the arena. Wasley quickly grasped the initiative with a brilliant break of 103 to force the decider.

The last frame took 40 minutes and both players had chances. It was 73rd-ranked Wasley that finally potted the pink to bring the Crucible crowd to its feet.

It was the third time that Ding fell in the first round of the World Championship after 2007 and 2012.

"I perhaps have not reached the level that could win me the world champion," said an upset Ding, whose best performance at Crucible was a last four finish in 2011.

Ding said: "I had many chances but I didn't take them. Sometimes the cushions bounced and took me out of position, which kills me and my game and costs me the frame."