Ng On-Yee fails in historic world championship bid

AFP (London): Ng On-Yee’s bid to become the first woman to reach the men’s world snooker championship came to a disappointing end on Thursday (7) when she lost 10-1 to Peter Lines of England in qualifying.

The 25-year-old Hong Kong player has been playing the sport since she was 13 and has even given up her studies to concentrate on her snooker career.

But 46-year-old Lines was too strong and he swept to victory in the first round qualifier. World number 69 Lines built a 9-0 lead in the first session on Wednesday with top breaks of 60, 76, 142, 52 and 69.

The Hong Kong star avoided a whitewash by taking the first frame on Thursday but Lines secured victory in the next to set up a meeting with Michael Holt, who beat Michael Wild 10-6.

Ng was in good company by falling at the first hurdle as six-time runner-up Jimmy White lost 10-9 to world number 65 Gerard Greene. White, 53, last made the world championships in 2006.