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Ng On-yee after receiving her Bronze Bauhinia Star in October. Photo: Edward Wong

Hong Kong’s Ng On-yee closes in on world number one ranking as Reanne Evans’ grip starts to slip

The Eden Masters winner is closer than any woman has been in 10 years to dethroning England’s Reanne Evans

Ng On-yee
Hong Kong’s world champion Ng On-yee has edged closer than any other woman to the number one ranking held for more than 10 years by England’s Reanne Evans.

Second-ranked Ng defeated Evans 4-3 in the recent Eden Masters, which means a gain of 3,750 ranking points and putting her just 1,550 points behind the former world champion.

Ng’s coach Wayne Griffiths said as long as she focused on playing her best snooker, the ranking will take care of itself.

“The fact that On Yee is getting closer to this goal to catch the current number one, and seemingly omnipotent, Reanne Evans, is testament to her skill and dedication for the last decade,” said Griffiths.

Ng after winning the UK Women’s Championship. Photo: WLBS

“On-yee’s drive to improve is as unrelenting as it is impressive, and it is what makes her a champion.

I remember working with On-yee when she played Reanne Evans in the 2011 World Championships in the UK. It was widely accepted that Reanne had a significant edge on the table at this time. However, what I also remember was the belief and desire that On Yee showed that day.

“I felt then, difficult as it may be, that she had all the tools to one day push Reanne as the best female player in the world. It has taken some time to close the gap, but many years of hard work see On-yee as the current world champion, and in the position to be the first challenger to Reanne Evans’ WLBS number one ranking for well over a decade. 

“Getting close is not the same as reaching the goal however. Reanne is a class act and a real determined character. She will fight tooth and nail to keep her proud record of the longest-serving number one in the history of the ladies’ game.”

The 26-year-old Ng has a big advantage over Evans in the race for number one, with three tournaments coming up after the new year in which the Englishwoman is defending champion. It means Evans is under pressure to defend those points, which would disappear from the two-year rolling points total if she fails to win.

The latest rankings also sees three Hong Kong players in the top 10: Ng (second), Wan Ka-kai (sixth) and So Man-yan (10th), with Jaique Ip Wan-in ranked 12th.

Reanne Evans (right) with Hong Kong’s So Man-yan at the previous Eden Masters. Photo: WLBS

Ng was the first player in 10 years to dethrone Evans as world champion in 2015 and Griffiths is confident she can do so again in the world rankings.

“On-yee’s job will be the same as always – to look after her preparation on and off the table and to seek improvement in all she does every day,” he said. “Looking for those marginal gains that will make her a better player tomorrow. Myself and my coaching team of Alan Wong and David Roe will continue to support her in achieving this goal. 

“On-yee loves a challenge and always gives her best. She loves a fight too. This battle for the number one spot will be a fascinating head to head for the remainder of the season. We are all confident that If she maintains her work ethic and belief, the results and ranking she deserves will find her – whatever they may be.”

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Ng On-yee closes in on No 1 ranking
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