After his hat-trick, Ding reached world number three in the rankings for the first time in his career, before reaching number two just behind Neil Robertson. Ding won two more ranking titles; the German Masters, beating Judd Trump 9–5 in the final, and the China Open by beating Robertson 10–5 in the final to equal Hendry's season record of five wins. He was also the runner-up in the Welsh Open to Ronnie O'Sullivan. At the World Championship, however, Ding was defeated by world number 75 Michael Wasley 10–9 in the first round, which Ding had led 6–3 and 9–8. Ding finished the season ranked world number two—a career high—and was held off the number-one spot by Mark Selby, who won the World Championship. Ding was fined £5,000 and referred to the WPBSA Disciplinary Committee by the WSL for failing to attend their awards dinner.