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Ssb - china v hong kong
It would be ironic if a tournament that threatened to end up a damp squib after so many big names went out early ended up with a final that became the most watched match in snooker history.
When Ding Junhui beat Marco Fu 10-9 in the first round of the World Championship three years ago the estimated viewing audience in China was in excess of 100 million.
Even with the time difference, the first ever all-Asian major final is likely to attract huge figures in the Far East.
There are still fans - and even players - who would rather snooker stayed away from China. Piffling complaints about the time difference and culture ignore the fact that snooker peaked in the UK 25 years ago and needs to exploit new markets.
The levels of participation in China have sky-rocketed since Ding won the 2005 China Open. I've been to a Star factory out there which is a 24/7 operation, such is the demand.
Ordinary working Chinese are often priced out of buying tickets for tournaments but they tune in to TV coverage in considerable numbers.
They - and the rest of us - could be in for a treat today given how well Ding and Fu played to reach the final.
Fu produced three great frames, which would have been three centuries had he not missed the green on 97 in the middle frame, to come from 4-1 down to 4-4 with Mark Allen before scrapping through the last two.
Ding was relaxed, confident and polished in repelling the challenge of Jamie Cope, 6-3, to reach a second Masters final.
The first, famously, ended with him breaking down in tears but he starts favourite today to land the game's most prestigious invitation title.
It may well be very close. When Fu gets into his stride he is an awesome scorer - tenth on the all time list of century makers. This run has come out of nowhere. His form of late has been so erratic that he's dropped out of the top 16, but he will be inspired by the chance to play - and beat - Ding at Wembley Arena.
Ding has twice won the UK Championship and, at the age of 23, has the pedigree to win many more major titles.
So despite all the shocks and surprises this week, the stage is set for a historic meeting of China v Hong Kong in London, symbolic of the changing tides of snooker.
More...
When Ding Junhui beat Marco Fu 10-9 in the first round of the World Championship three years ago the estimated viewing audience in China was in excess of 100 million.
Even with the time difference, the first ever all-Asian major final is likely to attract huge figures in the Far East.
There are still fans - and even players - who would rather snooker stayed away from China. Piffling complaints about the time difference and culture ignore the fact that snooker peaked in the UK 25 years ago and needs to exploit new markets.
The levels of participation in China have sky-rocketed since Ding won the 2005 China Open. I've been to a Star factory out there which is a 24/7 operation, such is the demand.
Ordinary working Chinese are often priced out of buying tickets for tournaments but they tune in to TV coverage in considerable numbers.
They - and the rest of us - could be in for a treat today given how well Ding and Fu played to reach the final.
Fu produced three great frames, which would have been three centuries had he not missed the green on 97 in the middle frame, to come from 4-1 down to 4-4 with Mark Allen before scrapping through the last two.
Ding was relaxed, confident and polished in repelling the challenge of Jamie Cope, 6-3, to reach a second Masters final.
The first, famously, ended with him breaking down in tears but he starts favourite today to land the game's most prestigious invitation title.
It may well be very close. When Fu gets into his stride he is an awesome scorer - tenth on the all time list of century makers. This run has come out of nowhere. His form of late has been so erratic that he's dropped out of the top 16, but he will be inspired by the chance to play - and beat - Ding at Wembley Arena.
Ding has twice won the UK Championship and, at the age of 23, has the pedigree to win many more major titles.
So despite all the shocks and surprises this week, the stage is set for a historic meeting of China v Hong Kong in London, symbolic of the changing tides of snooker.
More...