Ding beat Mark Selby in the 2012 Welsh Open to win his fifth ranking tournament and £30,000. Ding's form continued; he won the 2012 Championship League tournament and a place in the 2012 Premier League. Ding reached the semi-finals of the China Open but was eliminated after losing 3–6 to eventual winner Peter Ebdon. Ding ended the season with a defeat in the first round of the World Championship, losing to Ryan Day 10–9 having had a 9–6 lead. After the match, Ding criticized the condition of the tables at the event and the attitude of the audience, saying both were "rubbish". He finished the year ranked world number 11, having dropped seven places during the season.