Marco Fu edged out at World Championship qualifiers on return

Marco Fu's hopes of a return to the World Championship at the Crucible were ended after a 6-5 defeat to Ian Burns in the first round of qualifying.

The Hong Kong-based player had not been in competitive action since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but the former world number five was given an invitational tour wildcard as he looked to resume his career.

Fu, 44, was aiming to reach the World Championship for the 19th time, but came up just short against Burns on Tuesday at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Burns chalked up a break of 141 as he moved into a 3-0 lead before Fu responded with clearances of 50 and 99 and then levelled the match.

Another 122 run from Fu in the ninth frame brought him back into contention at 5-4 and he edged the next to force a decider. However, a break of 73 saw Burns through to a qualifying quarter-final against Elliot Slessor, the world number 51.

Three-time women’s world champion Ng On Yee was beaten 6-2 by Rory McLeod despite making a 97 break in frame one.