By Richard Preen

World Ranking: 27
Date Of Birth: 08/01/78
Form: R32/R16/SF/R32/R48
World Championship best: Last 32 – 3 times

Marco Fu, voted WPBSA Young Player of the Year in 1999, has confirmed that snooker has a new star from the Far East.

His impact on the game was quick as in under two seasons he had seen his ranking position rise from 377 to the lofty position of 15.

This amazing climb had been partly generated from an impressive run in the 1998 Grand Prix where he finally succumbed to Stephen Lee in the final.

Two semi-finals followed the season it seemed only a matter of time before Fu gained his first professional title.

Unfortunately it has not been plain sailing for Fu since his original assault on the game.

He has dropped back out of the top 16 after two disappointing seasons culminating in a defeat in last year's World qualifiers against Shaun Murphy.

During last season he began to work with highly respected coach Terry Griffiths although this didn't work out has Fu found the adjustments he was making to his game were having a detrimental effect.

Fu and Griffiths parted amicably and now Hong Kong's star has returned to his roots in the Happy Valley for back to basics coaching which finally seems to be enhancing Fu's game.

His results have improved ten-fold including a run to the Regal Welsh semi-finals where he was defeated 6-4 by eventual champion Stephen Hendry.

His provisional ranking position has also seen a gradual improvement and now Fu will be looking forward to his first round match against Ronnie O'Sullivan with renewed confidence.