WU YIZE has emerged as one of snooker’s most exciting youngsters during his run to the Crucible semis – thanks in part to the guidance of snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The 22-year-old starlet edged past four-time world champion Mark Selby in the second round of the World Snooker Championship, before booking his place in the one-table rounds with a win over Iranian underdog Hossein Vafaei on Wednesday evening.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed his advice to a rising snooker star Credit: Alamy
Wu Yize, 22, is the last Chinese player standing at the Crucible Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Yize, ranked No8 on the WST world rankings, earned his maiden ranking title at the International Championship last November, and is quickly developing a reputation for his aggressive style.
And it seems that at least part of his talents have been nurtured by The Rocket, with Wu revealing that he and the snooker GOAT exchange messages about the state of the game.
When asked if he had managed to steal a minute with O’Sullivan while they shared a practice area ahead of the tournament, Wu said: ”We met a few times during the practice.
“We messaged each other occasionally to talk about matches. I really appreciate his support.”
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But O’Sullivan revealed that he had taken a more active role in aiding the star’s development.
The seven-time world champion explained that he was keen to take the next generation of players under his wing, hoping to lend his advice to give Wu the tools he needs to go all the way.
O’Sullivan explained when asked about taking on a mentorship role with youngsters like Wu: “I’d help any player. I help players I like.
“If I think they’ve got potential, and I think I could guide him in the right way. A bit like what Ray [Rearden] had done for me.”
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The star’s drive to help bring young talent through has led to a number of side projects away from the competitive sport, including the introduction of his own snooker academy in Saudi Arabia and his 12-hour only masterclass ‘The Rocket Method’.
“I said [to Wu], ‘I think you need to improve in this area. I’m convinced of that, if you don’t, I’m convinced you’re just going to keep getting what you got.’
“‘Do you want to be a champion?’ And he [Wu] was like, ‘Yeah, yeah.’
“You might not want to do this, but if you want to be a champion, you’re going to have to do this no matter how good you are because he’s a phenomenal talent.
“It’s been nice to see him take that on board, and whether it’s helped him or not, I don’t know, but when he wins and does well, it makes me happy.”
On that basis Ronnie will at least have something to cheer him up after making his Crucible exit in a final-frame thriller against John Higgins.
The Wizard of Wishaw made an immense comeback from 9-4 down to stun his fellow class of ’92 alum on Monday afternoon.
Wu was playing his second-round match in the same arena as his mentor’s epic match, with O’Sullivan inadvertently helping to spur on the prospect from across the divider.
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The cueist, whose opponent Selby tipped to lift the trophy following the match, admitted that the raucous atmosphere in the venue during the session affected both him and his opponent.
When asked if the match felt special because of who he was sharing a stage with, Wu answered: “Definitely.
“The last few frames they played, the audience was cheering them on so we could feel the excitement out there. It definitely put a little pressure on both of us.”
