Young snooker talent forcing veterans to work harder as Hong Kong’s Ng On-yee falls to Chinese teen Bai Yulu in the semi-finals
- The world number two goes down 4-3 to the 17-year-old after beating top-ranked Reanne Evans in the last eight
- Ng says she enjoys the challenge posed by up-and-coming players such as Bai and Thailand’s Natcharut Wongharuthai
Hong Kong’s world number two Ng On-yee said the top women’s players are working harder than before as younger talent emerges but she is enjoying the challenge.
Ng was on Saturday beaten 4-3 by Chinese teenager Bai Yulu in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong World Women’s Masters at General Snooker Club in Lai Chi Kok.
The 28-year-old three-time world champion had earlier beaten world No 1 Reanne Evans 3-1 in a tough last-eight clash and was unable to continue her early momentum against the precocious 17-year-old.
Bai will face England’s world number three Rebecca Kenna in the final on Sunday. Kenna, beaten 3-0 by Bai in the group stages, scored a 4-0 victory over Belgium’s Wendy Jans in her semi-final.
“I knew she was a very talented player and also very consistent,” said Ng, who had a 1-1 win-loss record against Bai coming into the match. “There are a lot of young ladies coming up and I am still working hard to stay on top.
“When we go to tournaments we see who is coming up and who is improving, so it is getting harder and harder to compete. But at the same time, it’s also fun.”
