Hong Kong snooker icon Marco Fu produced a stunning top break in the deciding frame to beat John Higgins 6-5 in their semi-final clash at the Hong Kong Masters.
The Hong Kong Coliseum was rapt when Fu put down the final black on his magical break. He’s no stranger to putting together perfect runs on the sport’s biggest stages, having shot a 147 at the 2015 Masters. Fu now has five career-highs to date.
It is the 180th official 147 in snooker history and the fourth to be made this season. Fu is now in line for the £10,000 prize.
The local hero must now prepare for tomorrow’s final, where he will face world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan or Neil Robertson in the best of 11 frames for the top prize of £100,000.
It’s been a dream week for Fu, 44, after a tough few years on and off the table. Eye problems forced him to undergo surgery in 2018 and take a break from the sport. The pandemic followed and Fu was unable to compete for nearly two seasons due to travel restrictions. During this period, I could hardly believe what was going to happen this afternoon.
Fu clung to Higgins’ wedges for much of today’s game, after a break in the build-up to a blitz that saw the Scot take the early lead. Runs of 105, 50, 68 and 83 helped him establish a 3-1 lead heading into mid-session.
When they returned, Fu pulled within a frame thanks to a break of 61. However, 31-time ranking event winner Higgins restored his cushion thanks to a contribution of 91 in the sixth for lead 4-2.
Higgins had a chance to go three up with four to play, but a missed red at 41 allowed Fu to get back on the board. He capitalizes mercilessly with 70 to make it 4-3. Fu then stole a tense eighth frame to restore parity at 4-4.
Glasgow’s four-time world champion Higgins showed his steel with a century contribution of 105 to move within one of victory. However, Fu refused to wilt and a break of 72 forced a decider. He then produced a moment of sporting drama to cross the line with maximum rest.
“It’s incredible. I still can’t believe what just happened there. It’s impossible to do something like that,” said three-time qualifying event winner Fu.
“I can’t believe it and the atmosphere was incredible today. I am very happy that I am playing quite well. To beat the best players in the world like John Higgins and Mark Selby, you can’t get any better than that.
“This is my best moment so far as a professional. To do something like that in front of my people at home. We had a great turnout this week and it’s the best I’ve had.
“I had never seen anything like this atmosphere. I’m glad I was a part of the drama. It shows how much Hong Kong people love billiards. Hopefully we can have a full ranking event in the future. I think Hong Kong deserves a great event in the future.”
Higgins said: “It’s going to be an amazing occasion tomorrow. I actually think I’ll come to watch it. I don’t normally think I’d watch the final when I’d lost. This is a special place so I think I’ll watch the final. It’s an arena incredible.”