World Championship format must go, says new title holder Ng On-yee

Hong Kong star Ng On-yee has criticised the playing format for the women’s World Championship, urging that it should be changed after being left completely drained in winning her second title in Singapore.

Returning to a hero’s welcome at Chek Lap Kok on Monday, the 26-year-old edged India’s Vidya Pillai 6-5 in the final, which ended at 1.30am local time. That meant Ng had to spend more than 12 hours at the table because she had to play her semi-final on the same day against top seed and defending champion Reanne Evans of England, which Ng won 5-4. With only a 30 minute break, she returned to the table to face Pillai, whom she beat for her second world title after lifting her maiden championship in 2015.

“It was such a long day [of competition] and of course I hope it [format] can be changed in future,” said Ng on her triumphant return. “In fact, I could not control my muscles midway through the final as I’d been playing for so many hours. It was more like playing mind games than playing snooker.

“I am very happy that I could hang in there to win the deciding frame for the title.”

The organisers had a rest day on Saturday, which meant both the semis and final were played on Sunday.