THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP has been thrilling snooker viewers this week on the big screen – but it appears only one fan turned up to watch it live.
Despite recently withdrawing from the Welsh Open due to “stage fright”, the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan has returned for the tournament.
GettyZhang Anda has reached the quarters of The Players Championship[/caption]
EuroSportEuroSport viewers were shocked to see what appeared to be just a single fan watching his latest win[/caption]
He is in action this afternoon as the quarter-final stage gets underway.
Mark Allen will first go up against Gary Wilson before O’Sullivan clashes with Mark Selby.
Zhang Anda will also take on John Higgins tomorrow in a last-eight showdown.
The Chinese star will, however, be hoping that match garners a bit more interest from spectators than his last outing.
He beat Noppon Saengkham on Wednesday afternoon to reach the quarters.
However, camera footage from the game on EuroSport appeared to show that only a single spectator was in the crowd to watch the action unfold at The Players Championship in Telford.
Anda, 32, came from 3-1 down to seal a 6-5 victory but only one person was there to applaud his efforts on camera.
Some further fans could have been in attendance off-screen in the upper reaches of the main stand while photos from the actual game also showed off punters in the background in a lot more full-looking stand.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
But the sight of just the single spectator, despite the rest of Wednesday’s matches all attracting fair crowds, will have caused some worry to some fans watching on from their armchairs.
Zhang, who was beaten by Trump in the 2023 English Open final before winning the International Championship last year, will fancy his chances of success tomorrow.
But Ali Carter, who booked his spot in the semi already by overcoming Trump, believes he is playing at his near maximum.
He said: “I’m very close to my best. I can still improve to be honest, though.
“I’m working on all of the right things, so I think I can get better. I’m 45 this year and I’m in the top eight of the world, which isn’t bad.
“I’m going to keep searching for improvement, getting better and winning.”
GettyThis photo from the game shows there were more people in attendance in the background[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
