Ronnie OSullivan makes prediction for snookers next big star – Could be unplayable
Saturday Kitchen: Ronnie O'Sullivan discusses his fish diet
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Ronnie O’Sullivan reckons new snooker sensation Zhao Xintong has the sport at his mercy. The Rocket takes on Judd Trump in a blockbuster Players Championship first-round clash on Tuesday. But O’Sulliivan admits that for once both take second billing to Zhao at the event for the 16 best-performing players of the season.
China’s Zhao, 24, comes into the tournament as the No1 seed after following up a huge breakthrough success at the UK Championship with victory at the German Masters.
That triumph in Berlin saw him whitewash former Masters winner and close pal Yan Bingtao 9-0 in the Tempodrom final.
And it means Zhao – who plays Barry Hawkins on Tuesday – has won £116,000 more than O’Sullivan so far this season – and £223,000 more than the Juddernaut.
And six-time world champion O’Sullivan, 46, who will regain the No1 spot if he lifts the trophy in Wolverhampton this week, is a big fan of Zhao’s fearless and fluent style.
He said: “The last time I was this excited about a player was when I saw Stephen Hendry play when I was only about nine years old, and I was thinking ‘Who is this fella?’
“I remember watching Stephen play in some festival in Hastings and you knew he was special. And for me Zhao is the only one since that made me think ‘Wow, he could be something special’.
“Of course, you have to say ‘Could be’ at the moment, it is still early, he has got quite a bit to learn and master to be the full article.
“He is super-good now, but could be an unplayable great if he were to brush up on certain things. And that is up to him, does he want to be open to that, and do the work.
“Because Zhao can be as good as he wants to be, he has got the game in his hands. As he develops he will handle the pressure situations even better than now.
“Even though he is a little bit one-dimensional now with all the potting and fantastic break-building, his defensive game can improve and that will make him better again.
“What is scary for the rest is what he is doing with only half a game – because I think that is what he has, half a game, compared to his potential.
“He still manages to brush other players aside, but that is only because he is so talented. But he can become even more difficult to play against and boss games from the start.
“There aren’t that many players that have a chance of threatening the important records – Hendry’s seven world titles, my seven Masters and UKs, the 20 majors.
“He is maybe the only one out there who could topple some of those. I watched his win at the German Masters, and was following what was going on. I have a real soft spot for Zhao.
“And in many wany he reminds me of my son – I look at him and it is like he is a reflection of my little Ronnie – a couple of handsome, good-looking boys!
“But of course the main thing is his talent, and the way he can play the game. It is exciting to watch, and exciting to see someone that emerge.”
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