Opinion: Why Hong Kong Masters was very special showcase for Ronnie O'Sullivan and snooker's brightest stars

10.10.2022 - 17:03 eurosport.com

It would be nice to think that Ray Reardon, on his 90th birthday, switched on Eurosport on Saturday morning to see Marco Fu’s 147 break in the deciding frame of his victory over John Higgins in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Masters.

Reardon could not turn professional until he was 35 because snooker was yet to attract the attention of television and there was no money in it.

That all changed in 1969 when the BBC launched Pot Black to showcase its new colour service. Reardon was its first winner and quickly became a household name.

He won six world titles and helped launch snooker into the stratosphere. Ad Now, it has taken another step forward. This weekend saw a record crowd of roughly 9,000 at the Hong Kong Coliseum for the final, where Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Fu 6-4.

Football tennis Sporting darts Opinion John Higgins Marco Fu Britain Ireland Hong Kong Milton Hong Kong

Ronnie O'Sullivan has berated «lazy» UK snooker chiefs after playing before a world record crowd approaching 9,000 fans at the Hong Kong Masters on Sunday. O'Sullivan admits the four-day invitational event at the Hong Kong Coliseum has changed the face of what snooker can achieve, comparing the tournament to the ATP tennis finals at London's O2 Arena. Ad The world champion and world No.

Ronnie O'Sullivan compares 'incredible' Hong Kong Masters crowd to ATP Finals tennis - 'it’s unbelievable'

Ronnie O'Sullivan has compared the «incredible» Hong Kong Masters crowd to the one he witnessed at the ATP Tour Finals tennis event in London. The Rocket clinched the title in Hong Kong Masters with a 6-4 triumph over local hero Marco Fu, and made a big point of declaring that the tournament was «the best I've probably ever played in». Ad The showpiece final was watched by a remarkable 8,500 fans inside the Hong Kong Coliseum, with the atmosphere certainly unique to the World Snooker Tour with audible reactions to shots and moments in the match.

Ronnie O'Sullivan claims Hong Kong Masters in front of 9,000 fans

Ronnie O'Sullivan held off a spirited challenge from Marco Fu to win the Hong Kong Masters in front of a record crowd, seeing off the home hope 6-4 in Sunday's final.

Ronnie O'Sullivan sees off Marco Fu fightback to take Hong Kong Masters title in front of record snooker crowd

Ronnie O'Sullivan won the Hong Kong Masters title 6-4 after seeing off a fightback from local hero Marco Fu. The final was played out in front of a record crowd of over 8,500 at the Hong Kong Coliseum, who saw their home favourite come close to the title with a late charge but he was pipped to the post by the Englishman. Ad O’Sullivan nabbed the first frame without conceding a single point, starting off with a long red and then sinking a blue with his left hand.

'A break we weren’t expecting!' – Ronnie O’Sullivan smashes glass during Hong Kong Masters final

Snooker is all about big breaks. Unfortunately, Ronnie O’Sullivan took that a little too literally during his Hong Kong Masters final with Marco Fu after accidentally smashing a glass between frames. Ad After cleaning his cue ahead of the fourth frame, the Rocket sent his glass tumbling to the floor when putting his cloth back on his chairside table.

Hong Kong Masters 2022 snooker final LIVE – Ronnie O’Sullivan faces Marco Fu for title before world record crowd

Fu 0-1 O'Sullivan (99-0) Ad 55 from Fu to accompany the earlier run of 44 and that is more than enough to snare the second frame. All square at 1-1. Hong Kong Masters‘Dangerous!’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan drops impressive double18 HOURS AGO Fu 0-1 O'Sullivan (81-0) Fu over the line with some nice ball striking.