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Tom Bell

Mark Selby found it quiet, Neil Robertson was confident it would get louder, and Hong Kong finally found its voice at snooker’s World Grand Prix to cheer on China’s Ding Junhui on Wednesday evening.
A sparse crowd estimated at no more than 400 for the two tables showed up for the afternoon matches at Kai Tak Arena, prompting Selby to express hope that the public would pack out the venue for the rest of the city’s first ranking event in 36 years.
That began to materialise in the evening, when the 5,300 seats appeared to be almost half filled, with most of those present seated around Ding’s surprise defeat by compatriot Xu Si.
All had plenty of praise for the newly opened facility and the prospect of a bumper attendance at the weekend.


“It’s very good, it’s very big,” four-time world champion Selby said after recovering from 3-2 down to overcome Jackson Page 4-3.
“With big arenas it always helps if it’s full, otherwise it can look a bit empty. Hopefully by the end of the week it’ll be full and that will be really good.”
Robertson, who swept aside Yuan Sijun 4-0, said he expected “an amazing atmosphere when more crowds come later in the week”.
“It’s usually the case that in the first couple of days the crowds are a little quieter,” he said. “The arena is set up brilliantly and it will be fantastic for the fans once they all come in.”
The Australian recalled winning the Hong Kong Masters in 2017 when “there were about 3,500, 4,000 there”, and 2022’s event of the same name, which drew crowds of up to 8,000-plus, with Robertson a semi-finalist.
“It goes to show the support Hong Kong gives and I think when we get to the quarter and semi-finals, we’ll see those crowds,” he said. “I’ll hope to be a part of that.”
Ding may have been the day’s big draw, but he found himself in a real scrap with his occasional practice partner Xu.
World No 40 Xu responded calmly to his ninth-ranked opponent’s assured start and hauled himself level at 2-2 then 3-3. A nerveless break in the decider took him to the brink of a place in the last 16, which he went on to clinch after Ding missed a chance.
Earlier, Selby overcame a dogged Page and humid conditions that he said affected the run of the balls to ensure his return to the city involved more than sightseeing.

He noted that, had he repeated his early exit from last week’s World Open in Yushan, he “would have spent 2½ weeks in Asia and not won a match”.
“I didn’t play amazingly,” the Englishman said. “Jackson played well to go 3-2 up, and I was just clinging on.
“Players always like coming to Hong Kong. We get nicely treated and it’s a pleasure to come here. I’ve got another game now … hopefully I’ll play better and still be [playing] at the weekend.”
The day’s other winners included Xiao Guodong, who overcame Jak Jones 4-3, Lei Peifan, who saw off Elliot Slessor 4-2, and Barry Hawkins, who defeated Tom Ford 4-1.


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Ding Junhui concentrates during his match against Xu Si at Kai Tak Arena. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Ding Junhui attends the welcoming ceremony for the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong on Sunday. Photo: World Snooker Grand Prix 2025

Players assemble at Sunday’s welcoming ceremony in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: World Snooker Grand Prix 2025

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World Grand Prix livens up during Ding Junhui’s surprise loss, while Mark Selby, Neil Robertson praise new venue despite small early crowds


World Grand Prix livens up during Ding Junhui’s surprise loss, while Mark Selby, Neil Robertson praise new venue despite small early crowds.


Hongkongers show up for snooker star Ding after Selby urges them to fill Kai Tak Arena

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}World Grand Prix livens up during Ding Junhui’s surprise loss, while Mark Selby, Neil Robertson praise new venue despite small early crowds

World Grand Prix livens up during Ding Junhui’s surprise loss, while Mark Selby, Neil Robertson praise new venue despite small early crowds