Snooker sets new attendance record as Ronnie O’Sullivan advances in Hong Kong

Snooker was played in front of the biggest crowd in the sport’s history as Ronnie O’Sullivan scored a 5-0 win over Ng On Ye at the Hong Kong Masters.

More than 5,000 spectators were in attendance to see O’Sullivan advance in just 52 minutes at the Hong Kong Coliseum, surpassing the previous record of 3,000 set at the same tournament in 2017.

The audience in the UK has never exceeded 2,500.

“It was good,” O’Sullivan said of playing in front of a crowd. “Every event in Asia is great, they are so supportive. They are like really big events.

“It’s nice to play in front of an excited crowd and it makes you want to play well for them.”

O’Sullivan will face Neil Robertson in the semi-finals after the Australian beat Mark Williams 5-3, who had to run at the last minute to Hong Kong to replace Zhao Shentong after the Chinese player was tested for COVID-19.

Rocket added: “Playing against high-quality opponents, knowing you need to be at your best, motivates you to do well.

“These are special events and you want to play as many as possible.”

Snooker was played in front of the biggest crowd in the sport’s history as Ronnie O’Sullivan scored a 5-0 win over Ng On Ye at the Hong Kong Masters.

More than 5,000 spectators were in attendance to see O’Sullivan advance in just 52 minutes at the Hong Kong Coliseum, surpassing the previous record of 3,000 set at the same tournament in 2017.

The audience in the UK has never exceeded 2,500.

“It was good,” O’Sullivan said of playing in front of a crowd. “Every event in Asia is great, they are so supportive. They are like really big events.

“It’s nice to play in front of an excited crowd and it makes you want to play well for them.”

O’Sullivan will face Neil Robertson in the semi-finals after the Australian beat Mark Williams 5-3, who had to run at the last minute to Hong Kong to replace Zhao Shentong after the Chinese player was tested for COVID-19.

Rocket added: “Playing against high-quality opponents, knowing you need to be at your best, motivates you to do well.

“These are special events and you want to play as many as possible.”

Snooker was played in front of the biggest crowd in the sport’s history as Ronnie O’Sullivan scored a 5-0 win over Ng On Ye at the Hong Kong Masters.

More than 5,000 spectators were in attendance to see O’Sullivan advance in just 52 minutes at the Hong Kong Coliseum, surpassing the previous record of 3,000 set at the same tournament in 2017.

The audience in the UK has never exceeded 2,500.

“It was good,” O’Sullivan said of playing in front of a crowd. “Every event in Asia is great, they are so supportive. They are like really big events.

“It’s nice to play in front of an excited crowd and it makes you want to play well for them.”

O’Sullivan will face Neil Robertson in the semi-finals after the Australian beat Mark Williams 5-3, who had to run at the last minute to Hong Kong to replace Zhao Shentong after the Chinese player was tested for COVID-19.

Rocket added: “Playing against high-quality opponents, knowing you need to be at your best, motivates you to do well.

“These are special events and you want to play as many as possible.”

Snooker was played in front of the biggest crowd in the sport’s history as Ronnie O’Sullivan scored a 5-0 win over Ng On Ye at the Hong Kong Masters.

More than 5,000 spectators were in attendance to see O’Sullivan advance in just 52 minutes at the Hong Kong Coliseum, surpassing the previous record of 3,000 set at the same tournament in 2017.

The audience in the UK has never exceeded 2,500.

“It was good,” O’Sullivan said of playing in front of a crowd. “Every event in Asia is great, they are so supportive. They are like really big events.

“It’s nice to play in front of an excited crowd and it makes you want to play well for them.”

O’Sullivan will face Neil Robertson in the semi-finals after the Australian beat Mark Williams 5-3, who had to run at the last minute to Hong Kong to replace Zhao Xintong after the Chinese player was tested for COVID-19.

Rocket added: “Playing against high-quality opponents, knowing you need to be at your best, motivates you to do well.

“These are special events and you want to play as many as possible.”