World 9-Ball China Open returns to Pudong
Chinese players (from left) Han Yu, Fu Xiaofang and Chen Siming are taking part in the 2019 World 9-Ball China Open.
The 2019 World 9-Ball China Open is being held at Tangzhen County in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai.
The tournament will feature 64 male and 48 female players from home and abroad. While male players are relatively better matched in strength, Asian women players have been holding advantage over their European counterparts. Chinese players Han Yu, Chen Siming, Fu Xiaofang and South Korean player Kim Ga-Young have shared the women’s titles in the past six years.
Fu beat Britain’s Kelly Fisher 9-1 to take the women’s crown last year. Fu was making a comeback after giving birth to twins last year.
“I feel more confident after the birth of my children, and managed to win a few titles since then,” said Fu.
Fu’s teammate Han Yu also agreed that marriage helped in her career. Han won the 9-ball title in Shanghai in 2016 not long she wed.
“Maybe this year, it’s my national teammate Liu Shasha’s turn to win the championship, since Liu is getting married next Tuesday,” said Han.
China’s “9-Ball Queen,” 37-year-old Pan Xiaoting will miss this year’s tournament. The finals will be held on Sunday.
