Hong Kong’s Marco Fu to face Ronnie O’Sullivan in UK Championship semi-finals
World number 15 records 6-5 comeback win over Wales’ Jamie Jones in York on Friday
Hong Kong’s Marco Fu Ka-chun will face five-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan for a place in the final of the UK Championship after recording a 6-5 comeback win over Wales’ Jamie Jones.
Jones looked set to reach the second ranking semi-final of his career when he built a 5-2 lead, but Fu responded and made 75 to draw level before winning the decider 76-0 to seal the comeback.
Fu is through to the last four of the UK Championship for the second time in his career, with the first coming in 2008 when he lost to Shaun Murphy in the final.
World number 15 Fu had not been beyond the last 32 of a ranking event this season before arriving in York, but his display has also earned him a place in the 16-man 2017 Masters.
Watch: Marco Fu v Jamie Jones
“It’s the first time in my career that I have got to the semi-finals of a big tournament playing my B or C game,” two-time ranking event winner Fu told the World Snooker website. “I’m very surprised to still be here, the way I am playing. I need to improve dramatically.
“My experience played a part tonight. Jamie was suffering when he saw the winning line and made some mistakes. I saw that weakness and took advantage.
Hong Kong’s Marco Fu cruises into quarter-finals of UK Championship after 6-0 thumping of Oliver Lines
“It’s always special playing Ronnie so to meet him in the semis of the UK will be a great occasion for me. I just hope I can produce my best.”
World number eight O’Sullivan beat Mark Williams 6-2 to reach the semi-finals as he targets equalling Steve Davis’ record six UK Championship titles.
Watch: Marco Fu v Jamie Jones final frame
The other semi-final on Saturday will see world number one Mark Selby take on former world champion Murphy.
Selby beat John Higgins 6-5 in a titanic quarter-final, while Murphy recorded a 6-1 win over Belgium’s Luca Brecel.
