Fu has won only three matches all season but it is the nature of his losses which is of more concern than their frequency. He lost 5-1 to Lee Walker at Preston, 5-1 to Adrian Gunnell in the final round of China Open qualifying, 5-2 to Lee Spick at the Masters qualifying, 5-2 to Stephen Maguire in Malta and 5-2 to Drew Henry in Wales.

These were not just losses, they were annihilations.

The 1998 Grand Prix finalist beat Michael Judge in York before pushing Ken Doherty all the way in the next round. These efforts at The UK Championship have effectively been the only positives of the entire season.

That being said, credit has to go to the man from Hong Kong for his tremendous fightback against Fergal O’Brien to get to Sheffield. Trailing 5-1 and 7-4, he launched a stunning counterattack that saw him win the last six frames.

Barring a miracle, Fu has lost his place in the top 32 but, under the tuition of Terry Griffiths, the signs from his Prestatyn performance are encouraging for next year.

One of Marcu Fu's career highlights was his stunning win against Ronnie O'Sullivan under the Crucible lights in 2003. If he can summon similar inspiration this year, he might somehow be able to salvage his place in the top 32 for next season but it is a big, big if.

Prediction: First-round checkout