Ding Junhui expects a lot more Chinese talent to come through and shine at the top of snooker, with Wu Yize likely to be the next to reach the top of the tree.
Zhao Xintong became the first World Snooker Championship winner from China when he conquered the Crucible last year, downing Mark Williams in the final.
Having been the flagbearer for Chinese snooker for so many years, it had long been Ding who had been expected to make that piece of history.
However, after defeat to Zhao in the last 16 at the Crucible this year, Ding’s brilliant career remains without a world title on the CV.
He expects more Chinese success in Sheffield, though, already suggesting Zhao can defend his title this year and tipping 22-year-old Wu Yize to continue his impressive climb up the rankings.
Ding was speaking before Wu downed Mark Selby in the last 16 in Sheffield and will only have had his opinion further cemented by that huge victory.
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‘I love to see a lot of Chinese players doing well and better than anyone else, like Xintong,’ said the 39-year-old.
‘We have one already, Wu Yize will maybe become the second one, there will be a lot, a lot to come.’
Wu is playing at the Crucible as a seeded player for the first time after his International Championship victory this season saw him burst into the top 16 of the world rankings.
His first round victory over Lei Peifan was his first ever at the Crucible and on his hard fought 13-11 success over four-time champion Selby, he said: ‘It’s not the biggest [win of my career], but it’s definitely very meaningful, it means a lot to me and it’s a breakthrough for myself.
‘I definitely knew it was going to be a tough match-up. He limited my attacking throughout the match, but I was very happy with my safety play, it definitely shows my growth.’
Selby was certainly impressed with Wu, backing him to become a world champion at some point in his career, possibly next week.
‘He’s just enjoying it and having a great, great career so far and good luck to the boy. I like him. I really like him. He’s a nice lad,’ said Selby.
‘I think he’ll be a world champion in the making. I mean, who knows? It could be this year. But if it’s not this year, I do think in his career, he’ll probably win it at some stage. I think he’s that good a player.’
As for Ding, he looked great in a first round win over Dave Gilbert but came up short against Zhao, losing 13-9.
Still yet to celebrate his 40th birthday, there could be many more chances for Ding to win his first world title, but he is not so sure he can still be competing at the top of snooker in his 50s like John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams are.
‘The players you see until 50, how many can you count? Maybe on one hand,’ said Ding.
‘I’m not saying I’m a genius like them. Maybe I will keep coming down every year and don’t look like them. There’s not many geniuses like John, Ronnie and Mark Williams. Normally I think 45 is the line and you can see different every year.
‘I don’t know, I’m pretty sure I could do some more seasons. I don’t know how I’ll play, but I’ll try.’