Ronnie O’Sullivan predicts rise of Wu Yize
Ronnie O’Sullivan has made a striking prediction about Chinese rising star Wu Yize, declaring the 22-year-old will claim the world number one ranking within three years, reports BritPanorama.
The seven-time world champion delivered his assessment while speaking in Hong Kong ahead of this week’s World Grand Prix, which runs from 3-8 February.
O’Sullivan expressed high hopes for Wu’s future, stating, “I think Wu Yize is going to be world number one, I’d give him three years, definitely going to be world champion very, very soon, [he’s a] phenomenal player.” Currently, Wu occupies a career-best 13th position in the world rankings and will be making his third appearance at the tournament.
In November, Wu secured his maiden ranking title, defeating four-time world champion John Higgins in the International Championship final. Post-match, Higgins labelled Wu a “total star,” drawing comparisons to the late Paul Hunter, a three-time Masters champion who died in 2006 at the age of 27.
Wu’s impressive form continued into the new year with a strong showing at the Masters in January, where he reached the semi-finals before losing 6-5 to Kyren Wilson in a tightly contested match. Wilson went on to lift the trophy, but Wu’s performance further showcased his growing credentials at the highest level.
O’Sullivan noted that while many liken Wu to Paul Hunter, he believes the young Chinese player possesses qualities akin to six-time world champion Steve Davis but with a modern twist. “A lot of people liken him to Paul Hunter but I think he’s more like a modern day Steve Davis,” O’Sullivan explained. “He’s more dynamic, more cue power, more aggressive, more scoring power but his positional play for me is on the level of Steve Davis.” This insight came after O’Sullivan spent two to three days practising with Wu in Hong Kong, allowing him to appreciate the full depth of Wu’s abilities.
O’Sullivan conveyed a personal connection with the young talent, selectively sharing his knowledge with promising players. “After day two I was like ‘this kid is really special’,” he remarked. He concluded by expressing his desire to see Wu flourish as a professional, adding, “I’d just love to go and see him fulfil his potential as a professional. I expect him to do a lot of great things in snooker.”
In an era where legends are born, O’Sullivan’s insights not only highlight Wu’s burgeoning talent but remind us of the ever-evolving narratives within the world of snooker. As the young player continues to rise, one can’t help but observe how the sport thrives on fresh talent ready to etch their names alongside the greats.
