China Open results/draw

Hendry, who pulled a side muscle earlier in the week, overcame a strong challenge from fellow Scot Alan McManus to secure a 6-4 win.

Ding's route to the Beijing final could not have been more different as he swept aside Ken Doherty 6-0.

The 18-year-old sensation played solidly, scoring breaks of 91, 126 and 117 to crush the former world champion.

In the first semi-final Hendry rattled off successive century breaks to build a two-frame lead at 5-3.

He then edged the 10th frame to seal a marathon three hour 40 minute victory.

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"It was very tough going. I can't remember being involved in a best-of- 11-frame match that lasted so long," Hendry said.

"Alan plays the tactical game better than anyone in the world. His safety is second to none and that made it very hard for me to build up any kind of rhythm."

McManus missed the green off its spot that would have tied the match at 5-5, and Hendry said: "I'm not criticising him in any way shape or form.

"He's a real grinder but he didn't pot a single long ball all day and that cost him."

I had big aspirations but they evaporated out there Ken Doherty

Ding, who thrashed Doherty 6-1 in the Masters at Wembley, was still surprised by his dramatically swift success in this tournament.

"At the start of the tournament I'd never have thought I'd be playing Hendry in the final," he said.

"He will be a very difficult opponent but I'll be trying my best to take my chances."

Doherty, who beat Paul Hunter 5-1 in the quarter-finals, went in-off in the second frame and twice more in the next.

"I could have been 3-1 up at the interval but instead I was 4-0 down and it was the early frames that cost me," the world number seven said.

"After going 3-0 down he played superbly and there was nothing I could do, he was excellent.

"I was a little surprised but he's a really good player, a great talent. After beating Paul Hunter I had big aspirations but they evaporated out there."