Chinese Sensation Claims Maiden Ranking Title in Style
Twenty-two-year-old Wu Yize has secured his first professional ranking title with a stunning 10-6 victory over snooker legend John Higgins at the International Championship in Nanjing. The Chinese prodigy produced a magnificent display, compiling breaks of 86, 62, 110, 113, 137, 87, 80 and 108 throughout the final to claim the trophy and a career-changing £175,000 prize.
High Praise from a Snooker Great
Four-time world champion John Higgins was full of admiration for the young champion, drawing remarkable comparisons to the late, great Paul Hunter. 'He was striking the ball beautifully. He was by far the better player,' said the Scot. 'It reminded me so much of playing Paul Hunter. The way he gets through the ball and gets so much action on it. He is a brilliant player.'
Higgins, who faced Wu as a wildcard back in 2019 when the Chinese player was just 15, predicted a glittering future. 'It could open the floodgates,' he stated. 'I'm glad that I'll probably be retiring in a couple of years with guys like that potting them off the lampshades. He is a total star.'
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough
This victory marks Wu's third ranking final appearance, having suffered defeats in both the Scottish Open and English Open finals last season. The win propels him into the world's top 16 for the first time, making him the youngest player in that elite group. Speaking after his triumph, Wu expressed his relief and delight. 'Honestly, it feels unbelievable,' he said. 'After beating Judd Trump, I started thinking about the whole journey and it was surreal.'
He revealed the mental challenges he'd faced since his previous final appearances. 'At times I honestly felt quite desperate, but deep down I always believed I had the ability to win a title. Every day I kept thinking about it. I had a strong will to lift a trophy.'
Pundits Predict Stellar Future
Wu's potential has been recognised by snooker's established figures for some time. Former Masters champion Alan McManus had previously noted, 'I've been a fan of him for a few years... I thought, my goodness we're seeing something incredibly special.'
1997 world champion Ken Doherty made comparisons to Ronnie O'Sullivan, highlighting Wu's dedication to practising left-handed shots. 'He has the pedigree, he has the work ethic, the diligence and the temperament above everything else,' said Doherty.
Three-time world champion Mark Williams, who beat Wu at the Crucible this year, added his endorsement. 'Some of the balls he can pot are just incredible,' said Williams. 'He's got the potential to win this tournament absolutely no question.'
With this breakthrough victory and his entry into the world's top 16, Wu Yize now heads to the UK Championship later this month as a seeded player for the first time, ready to build on what promises to be an extraordinary career.
