Marco Fu begins Shanghai Masters campaign looking to put a slow start to the season behind him
Hong Kong player opens his account at the Shanghai Masters on Monday against England’s David Gilbert
Hong Kong snooker player Marco Fu Ka-chun will be looking to put an underwhelming start to the new season behind him as he opens his account at the Shanghai Masters on Monday.
The Happy Valley native is set to meet England’s David Gilbert in the first round at the Shanghai ranking event, which is in its 10th year this season.
Fu, seeded 14 for the tournament, has only made it past the first round on one occasion in the three ranking events so far this season when he made the second round at the Indian Open. He was dumped out 0-4 by Wales’ Dominic Dale in the second round.
Watch: Marco Fu score a maximum break at last season’s Dafabet Masters
The 38-year-old Fu, ranked 13 in the world, is looking to build on one of the best seasons of his career last term when he secured a win on the European Tour and triumphed at the General Cup in his hometown.
He was marginally beaten by eventual champion and world number one Mark Selby 17-15 at the season culminating World Championship in Sheffield.
England’s Ronnie O’Sullivan will also compete. He will face either Liang Wenbo or Hu Hao in his opening match on Tuesday.
Chinese No 1 Ding Junhui begins his competition with an opening round match against Scotland’s Scott Donaldson later on Monday night.
The defending champion is England’s Kyren Wilson, the current No 14 in the world.
