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Hong Kong Masters: Ronnie O’Sullivan says it ‘changed snooker’, Marco Fu says it revived his career
- ‘There’s a new benchmark,’ world champion O’Sullivan says as he reflects on Hong Kong event, in which he beat Fu in the final
- Fu reveals his future plans after Masters in his hometown puts him back on the big stage, having slipped down the rankings during the pandemic
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Ronnie O’Sullivan has declared the Hong Kong Masters to be the “new benchmark” in snooker and told organisers of British tournaments they should aim to replicate it.
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The seven-time and reigning world champion claimed the Hong Kong title on Sunday by defeating local star Marco Fu Ka-chun, but was equally keen to celebrate the statement made by Hong Kong and his sport.
World-record crowds three days running at Hong Kong Coliseum, culminating in over 8,000 for Sunday’s final, created an atmosphere that wowed the players, who O’Sullivan said “thrive on having fans in the venue”.
“It’s probably the best tournament I’ve ever played in,” he said. “This tournament has just changed snooker. Now there’s a new benchmark.
“[Hong Kong] has shown what you can do with an event. If you have good promoters who make local people aware it’s on, you can see the number of people who love snooker.
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“Everybody’s got to up their game. The events are never going to be as good as this, but at least try to aim for it. I think we need to be getting bigger crowds, better venues.”
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