Fu Maintains Red Hot Form – Snooker Freaks

Hong Kong’s Marco Fu continued his fine form to beat Bai Langning 6-2 and make the second round of Cazoo UK Championship qualifying in Sheffield.

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Fu returned to the circuit at the World Championship earlier this year, after nearly two seasons away due to travel restrictions related to the pandemic. The three-time ranking event winner produced inspired form to make the final of his home event at the Hong Kong Masters last month. Fu made a 147 in the deciding frame to defeat John Higgins 6-5 in the semi-finals, but was beaten 6-4 by Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final.

He had a rocky start to this morning’s tie, falling 2-0 behind, but recovered quickly to take the next two and then produced a sensational burst of break building to get over the line. Fu crafted three consecutive century runs of 108, 124 and 106 to move a frame from victory. He then fired in 60 to make it six on the bounce and progress. Next up Fu faces Oliver Lines.

Estonia’s Andres Petrov saved the best till last to land his first Triple Crown win by beating Jamie O’Neill 6-5. Petrov made a century run of 103 in the decider. He now plays Welshman Jackson Page in round two.

Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif scored an impressive 6-2 defeat of Irishman Aaron Hill. He composed breaks of 50, 61 and 52 and faces Hammad Miah next.

Jimmy White scored his second consecutive 6-0 victory this week, this time whitewashing Mitchell Mann. The 1992 UK Champion plays 2004 winner Stephen Maguire in round three.

Dominic Dale beat James Cahill 6-4, while Tian Pengfei defeated Sanderson Lam 6-1. They respectively face Li Hang and Chris Wakelin in the third round.