ZHAO CAN BE ENTERTAINER JUST LIKE ME
WORLD champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has tipped China’s Zhao Xintong to take over as the game’s next great entertainer.
The Rocket, who landed a record-equalling seventh Crucible crown in May, is a green baize genius.
He’s matched the flair and style of Alex Higgins plus Jimmy White with the winning mentality of Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry – much like Roger Federer did on the tennis court.
And Zhao, 25, has been tipped to become the first Chinese world champion after winning the UK Championship and German Masters in a breakthrough campaign last term.
O’Sullivan said: “Zhao is a super talent. He’s like Federer with a snooker cue. He’s lovely to watch.
“I love his game, I love his style and he’s maturing beautifully. He’ll probably be the first Chinese world champion snooker player.
“He’s such a cool dude. He’s coming of age, the consistency levels are what are impressing me about this young man.”
Scottish legend Hendry hailed the “Cyclone” as “perfect” at this week’s British Open as he routed Stuart Bingham 4-1 with three centuries.
The world No.7 steps up his bid for the £100,000 top prize in Milton Keynes against Thai player Noppon Saengkham today.
Scots Dean Young and Fraser Patrick crashed to whitewash defeats to Judd Trump and Saengkham respectively in round two. But Graeme Dott last night made an incredible recovery to beat China’s Xiao Guodong 4-3 last night to reach the last 16.
The Scot needed two snookers in the deciding frame but somehow clawed his way back to clear up for a fine success.
Fellow former world champion Mark Selby saw off China’s Cao Yupeng 4-2.
Welshman Jamie Jones was the first man to reach the last 16 as he beat Chang Bingyu 4-1.