Marco Fu admitted that a 147 maximum break in the decider of his home Hong Kong Masters semi-final to beat John Higgins was the “best moment of my career”.
The 44-year-old may have won three ranking titles and been a regular in the elite top 16 for over 20 years, but Fu has barely played for the last five seasons.
First retinal degeneration in his left eye required major surgery, that saw him take time out from the game. And Hong Kong’s strict travel and quarantine rules during Covid saw him isolated there.
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But in front of a record snooker crowd of 7,500 at the vast Coliseum on Saturday Fu produced a brilliant fifth maximum when the pressure was at its most intense to beat Scot Higgins 6-5 and reach the final.
World No100 Fu, who had to rely on a wildcard tour place last season due to his inactivity and an invitation for this event, said: “It’s amazing, I still cannot believe what has just happened there.
“To me, the way I have played the last two to three months, the calibre of the field in this tournament, and the atmosphere of the venue - it’s impossible to do something like that.
“I cannot believe I did something amazing. It was an unbelievable atmosphere out there.
“I’d say this is my best moment so far as a professional to be able to do something like that in front of my home crowd, in a new stadium this time.
“I wasn’t sure what would happen, how any people would turn up, but this week we have had amazing crowds. So it was probably the best thing I have ever achieved.
“I am very happy I am playing pretty decent to be able to compete against the best players in the world.
“To beat John Higgins, you cannot get any better than that. Making a 147 is a bonus. Even if I didn’t make one, beating John would be amazing. That was the icing on the cake, obviously.
Fu will enjoy another huge occasion in the final on Sunday against reigning and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Rocket beat world No3 Neil Robertson 6-4 in a terrific comeback victory – winning the last five frames having trailed the Australian 4-1.
O’Sullivan, who made breaks of 72, 93, 105, 104 and 52, said: “It was a great occasion out there, a great crowd and an amazing venue. Neil played some terrific stuff to go 4-1 up.
“But I hung in there to give myself a chance, I was patient and that is one of my strengths. Things are always changing during a match. To play Marco in the final here is great for both of us.”
🇭🇰 In front of his home fans
🔉 THAT NOISE!
Every shot of @Marcofu18's outstanding 1️⃣4️⃣7️⃣ in the semi final decider!
📺 @discoveryplus | #HKMasters
“And I am very happy to do something for the crowd and give something for them to cheer on. I have made a few 147s and this is probably one of the calmest I have felt all the way through.
“Maybe that was because I didn’t really expect much, I just wanted to win the last frame. I didn’t think of a 147 at the start. I haven’t made a century break in the last ten matches, it was a bit of drought.
“It shows how much Hong Kong people love snooker. So hopefully in the future we can have a proper ranking event or big invitational event. Hong Kong deserves a big event in the future.”
Four-time world champion Higgins, 47, was generous in defeat. He said: “Obviously I am disappointed losing.
“But if I had to lose to anyone here it would be Marco after everything he has been through the past few years and during the pandemic.
“He has not been able to play during the pandemic. But he is a lovely fella, and finished the match off so well with the 147.
“It couldn’t have worked out any better for the tournament and the Hong Kong people thatthey will see one of their own in the final, that will be an unbelievable occasion.
"And I actually think I will come across and watch it. I wouldn't normally do that when I have lost, but it is a special place and occasion and arena, and I can imagine it will be pretty cool on Sunday.
“My best chance of winning came when I was 4-2 in front and if the cue ball had been a little bit better…that was a key frame in the match for me.”
Prior to Saturday Fu’s biggest achievements were winning the Grand Prix with victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final in 2007; the Australian Open beating Neil Robertson in the final in 2013 – and the Scottish Open seeing off Higgins in Glasgow in 2016.
He has also twice reached the semi-finals of the World Championship at the Crucible in 2016 and 2006, and got to the final of the Masters in 2011 – losing there in the final at Wembley Arena to Ding Junhui.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
