.

McGill put up an impressive display against the world No.4, but eventually went down 4-2 in a clash that lasted until close to midnight. With former World Champions John Higgins and Graeme Dott both crashing out early, McGill carried the hopes of Scotland as the crowd looked to cheer a tartan triumph.

The dream ending never materialised, however, with Ding running out a narrow winner.

It was a disappointing finale to a remarkable day as McGill booked his final place against all the odds, fighting back from the dead in his quarter final and semi-final matches.

He was 3-0 down to Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon in his last eight clash, but reeled off four frames to set up a Battle of Britain duel with Englishman Andrew Higginson.

Again he fought back, this time from 3-1 down, holding his nerve to take the match on a respotted black.Ding's passage to the final saw him ease past Steve Davis and Ken Doherty yesterday afternoon and it was no surprise to see the Chinese star pick up where he left off, knocking in a break of 71 to take the first frame.

The second appeared to be going the same way but when Ding missed a black, McGill pounced, firing in breaks of 26 and 37 before eventually taking the frame as he came out on top of a tactical battle.

The pace soon slowed, with frame-winning breaks of 73 from Ding and 66 from McGill.

The fifth ought to have gone the Glasgow potter's way, but after missing a red into the corner when within touching distance, Ding snatched the frame before a superb break of 71 handed him the title.