By Alan Wilson

China's Ding Junhui lost his way in the final of the Masters snooker tournament on Sunday, conceding the match a frame too early.

The 19-year-old offered his hand to opponent Ronnie O'Sullivan with the score at 9-3 in a gesture that suggested he had had enough as play broke for an interval.

O'Sullivan led the tearful teenager back to his dressing room to offer a kind word, explaining to the Chinese he had got his sums wrong and it was the best of 19 not 17.

The pair returned to the table and O'Sullivan quickly went on to clinch the match 10-3.

The Englishman, a controversial figure who staged a walkout from the championships last month, said: "Ding is one of the rarest talents that I have seen and there is no doubt in my mind that he will become a multiple winner."

Ding had got off to a flying start, racing to a two-frame lead with quick-fire breaks of 77 and 109, but O' Sullivan came storming back to clinch his third Masters title, winning the last three frames 143-0, 97-0 and 121-3

Ding, who appeared upset by remarks from a member of the audience, told reporters: "I thought he had won the ninth frame of 17 and the match was over."

Ding added: "It is very different to events like the China Open because the fans go in groups and I felt very alone here. I was a bit annoyed with the man's comments because I couldn't concentrate."

Ding had begun the tournament a week ago with a maximum 147 break live on TV. He is the youngest player to achieve the feat, having beaten the previous record held by O'Sullivan.