Three-times women’s world champion Ng On-yee finally played her first match on the professional tour on Wednesday and fell to a heart-breaking 5-4 defeat to Craig Steadman in the German Masters qualifiers.
The 30-year-old was looking good as she took a 4-2 lead, making a high break of 77 along the way, but just couldn’t get over the line against her experienced opponent.
She had chances to pick up her first win as a professional, but Steadman battled back and just about did enough to book a spot in the next round against Zhang Jiankang.
On-yee was given a two-year tour card at the start of the season, alongside Reanne Evans as the top two players in the women’s world rankings.
However, due to travel restrictions she has not been able to travel from Hong Kong to compete until now, which is why Steadman finally became her first opponent as a professional.
On-yee and Evans will keep searching for their first wins on the main tour, with both now coming incredibly close to their first victories of the season.
Evans picked up two draws in the Championship League at the start of the campaign and came within a ball of beating former Masters champion Mark Allen at the British Open.
The 12-time women’s world champ is in action on Monday at the German Masters qualifiers in Cannock when she takes on Liang Wenbo.
After receiving her tour card earlier in the year, On-yee told BBC Sport: ‘This is absolutely a dream come true, I didn’t expect it coming.
‘I hope after people have watched me on the news or playing in tournaments I can change their impression of the sport.
‘Hopefully I can attract more young girls or boys. I have chances to go to schools and share with the students ideas about snooker. Hopefully I can promote the sport more.’
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