Jimmy White names 'next Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams'
Yesterday at 03:01 PM
Snooker legend Jimmy White has touted the Chinese trio of Si Jiahui, Wu Yize and Zhao Xintong as potentially being ‘the next Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams.’
The Class of 92 are still going strong as 33 years after turning professional all three are still in the top eight in the world rankings.
O’Sullivan has seven world titles to his name, with Higgins boasting four and Williams three, all cementing their places among the best to ever play the sport, with the Rocket top of most all-time lists.
Higgins and Williams have both lifted big titles this season, and while O’Sullivan has not, he won five in the last campaign, including two of the three Triple Crown titles.
In summary, they are cast iron legends of snooker, so to be touted as ‘the next’ Rocket, Wizard or Welsh Potting Machine is a serious compliment.
The Whirlwind feels three Chinese talents could collectively become a similar force at the top of the game, believing Si, Wu and Zhao all have the ability to become world champions.
‘You’ve now got three top players, you’ve got Si Jiahui, Wu Yize and Zhao Xintong, who’s back playing in the World Championship,’ White told a press conference at the World Grand Prix.
‘Them three players could be the next Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams, the 92. You’ve got three top players.
‘The standard is so good now, there’s every chance that the Chinese player can win the World Championship, for sure, a good chance.’
Si, 22, has already been to a Crucible semi-final in 2023 when he was beaten by eventual champion Luca Brecel.
That run, coupled with two ranking finals and impressive wins over the likes of O’Sullivan and Judd Trump this season, have made him arguably the brightest prospect in the sport.
21-year-old Wu is also in that conversation. He is yet to win a game at the Crucible, but is a tremendous young talent and has been to two ranking finals this season while he continues his hunt for a first title.
Zhao is at a different stage of his career to Si and Wu, with the 27-year-old having spent time away from the professional circuit, having been banned for his part in the match-fixing scandal, which was dealt with in June 2023.
The former UK Championship and German Masters winner has earned his place back on the main tour thanks to his performances on the amateur circuit and will be back on full time next season.
He will also play at the World Championship qualifiers in April and would be considered a genuine threat to win the title if he comes through them.
Zhao has only ever won one game at the Crucible, so there is work to be done for him to go all the way to the title, but undoubtedly he showed he has the ability when he won the UK Championship in 2021.
Ding Junhui remains the only Chinese player to date to reach the Crucible final, doing so in 2016 when he was beaten by Mark Selby.
There will be plenty of Chinese representation among the top 16 seeds in Sheffield, with Ding, Si, Zhang Anda and Xiao Guodong all looking set to avoid the qualifiers.
