Impressed Shaun Murphy has been left utterly convinced emerging force Si Jiahui will be China's first snooker world kingpin.
The 20-year-old triumphed in a Crucible classic with a 10-9 win after weathering a late storm from Murphy. He kept his cool in the decider in front a Sheffield audience left on tenterhooks during a breathless encounter. And now the Englishman has predicted the "swaggering" rising star is destined to become the first player from his snooker-obsessed nation to lift the most prestigious prize in the sport. Murphy is certain Si possesses the Ronnie O'Sullivan X-factor which is needed to become the a legendary talent.
Speaking after the agonising first round defeat, the 2005 world champion said: "He was fabulous from start to finish. I think he will be the first Chinese World Champion – maybe not this time, but I believe he will be the first.
"I see things in him that some of the other players don’t have. He’s got a bit of swagger, he’s very talented, plays right and left handed, gets on with it and always tries to attack. I threw everything at him, I tried my absolute best and I still lost."
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