Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3008852/curry-loving-ng-yee-blessed-chandigarh-she-reclaims-asian-snooker
Sport/ Hong Kong

Curry-loving Ng On-yee ‘blessed’ by Chandigarh as she reclaims Asian snooker title

  • The reigning world champion says there’s something magical about the Indian city
  • She beats rising Chinese teenager as she boosts confidence ahead of Worlds in June
Ng On-yee (third from left) with her Hong Kong teammates in Chandigarh. Photos: HKBSCC

Hong Kong snooker queen Ng On-yee says there’s something magical about Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab and Haryana, India that seemed to have brought the best out of her as she reclaimed the Asian Championship title.

Ng was last in Chandigarh in 2017 where she lifted the Asian crown and she overcame a stern challenge from China’s teenager Bai Yulu to win the latest edition of the tourney, winning the final 3-2 on Friday night.

“Chandigarh is a happy hunting ground for me. I feel blessed playing here and I always play well when I come here. It’s the second time I have come here. The first time I played in Chandigarh, I won the Asian title so India and especially Chandigarh has been good to me!” said curry-lover Ng after gaining a measure of revenge against the talented 16-year-old mainlander.

“Bai Yulu beat me in my hometown at the Asian invitational tournament held in Hong Kong last year. I always wanted to play her again and fortunately I was able to beat her this time,” said the Hong Kong champion who skipped last year’s Asian Championships.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Ng defeated India’s Arantxa Sanchis 3-1, while Bai thrashed another Indian, Varsha Sanjeev 3-0.

Ng On-yee with her trophy after winning the Asian title. Photo: HKBSCC
Ng On-yee with her trophy after winning the Asian title. Photo: HKBSCC

China’s Zhao Jianbo, meanwhile, defeated Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-wai to clinch the men’s Asian under-21 title, winning the final 6-3.

It has been a good six months for Ng, who despite recently losing her world No 1 ranking to arch-rival Reanne Evans, she has developed her skills in a big way.

At last month’s qualifiers for the men’s world championship, the 28-year-old almost pulled off the unthinkable when she led 6-5 before losing 10-6 to former Masters winner, Alan McManus.

That sort of performance has lifted her confidence as she had never come close to matching the men at previous visits to Sheffield.

Ng On-yee (second from left) with her Hong Kong teammates in India.
Ng On-yee (second from left) with her Hong Kong teammates in India.

Ng said she had not seen improvements in the results of the competition during the past six months and her hard work and consistency had paid off.

“My skills have improved but it’s not being reflected in my results before this one. I have finally won this time,” she said.

Ng will return to Hong Kong for one week before travelling to Britain to play in the Q School before embarking to Thailand for the world women’s snooker championship, where she is the defending champion. The world championship will be staged in Bangkok from June 20-23. Ng is a three-time world champion.