Rocket chasing centuries record in Masters quarters clash with Fu

Defending Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, 11/10 with Coral for a sixth tournament title, will be aiming to break Stephen Hendry’s long-standing century breaks record when he faces Marco Fu in their quarter-final matchup at Alexandra Palace.

The reigning UK Championship winner faces Hong Kong’s fantastic Fu after a 6-4 first round victory over Ricky Walden. O’Sullivan will be hoping to progress to a second consecutive Masters semi final, having been crowned last year’s champion.

Meanwhile, the returning Ali Carter meets Australia’s Neil Robertson in a rematch of last year’s Champion of Champions last 16 clash.

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Marco Fu
Five-time world champion O’Sullivan, odds-on 1/5 to win, equalled Stephen Hendry’s all-time centuries record of 775 as he defeated ‘the Walnut’ in their first round matchup.

The 39-year-old started the tournament on 773 but soon levelled the seven-time world champion’s record, and is odds-on 4/6 to progress past Fu by a margin of three or more frames.

Essex’s O’Sullivan has a commanding head-to-head status over his Chinese opponent, having emerged victorious in seven of the pair’s previous eight meetings. Fu’s last competitive triumph over the prolific potter was back in 2009, when China’s clinical cueist overcame ‘the Rocket’ with a 5-3 Welsh Open victory.

Fu finished off Stuart Bingham in their first round meeting with a magnificent maximum 147 break, and the in-form potter is 11/4 to win the race to four frames against O’Sullivan.

The last time these two met, the reigning champion raced to a sensational 6-0 quarter final win at the 2014 Champion of Champions, and the rampant Rocket is 10/1 to win by the same scoreline this time out as he aims to retain his crown.