Fu and the Rocket Share the Spoils - 02/09/2010

Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-3 Marco Fu

4-70 (63 Fu), 137-0 (76, 61 O’Sullivan), 34-71 (34 O’Sullivan, 47 Fu), 141-0 (119 O’Sullivan), 0-87 (87 Fu), 103-36 (103 O’Sullivan, 36 Fu)

In a high-quality encounter, Marco Fu and Ronnie O’Sullivan shared the spoils at the Southampton Guildhall, as they played out a 3-all draw in front of a capacity 700-plus crowd.

The first frame got bogged down in the early stages and took over 20 minutes to complete and it was the Hong Kong-based Fu who took it courtesy of a 63 break. ‘The Rocket’, watched in the crowd by snooker pal Jimmy White, fired back in the second with runs of 76 and 61.

Fu edged the next with a run of 47 before O’Sullivan blasted the first of two centuries, a 119, to level things at 2-2.

Fu, looking in great shape, came back with a well worked 87 before another magnificent ton from O’Sullivan – a 103 clearance – brought the score to 3-3.

‘3-3 is kind of a fair result as we both had chances to win the match. I played better and felt a little more comfortable as we’re playing more matches this year. I feel confident and hopefully can continue like this,’ said Fu.

‘I played all right and scored when I was in the balls. Marco looked comfortable at the table so I’ve got to be happy with the point,’ added O’Sullivan.