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Mike Chan

Two of China’s biggest snooker stars say the future of the sport is in good hands as the country continues to produce top talent.
Ding Junhui and Si Jiahui, who were part of the line-up at last week’s Macau Snooker Masters at Wynn Palace, predicted more of their compatriots would emerge on the professional tour and rise up the rankings.
“Snooker in China is heading towards its best moments [for development],” said Ding, who won the International Championship last month. “A lot of our players are just over 20 years old and they need to get more experience in the matches.
“They will surely grow, so this is only a start and there will be more Chinese players in the future.”
With 13 players from China inside the top 50, Si said, the country’s upwards trajectory in the sport is not likely to stop soon.

“I believe there will be more Chinese players [in the top 50],” he said. “I don’t think the number will diminish – it will only get better and we won’t just stop suddenly.”
The 22-year-old from Zhejiang, who finished second at the German Masters and Wuhan Open this year, added that the overall standard of Chinese players was rising, citing the increasing number reaching the later stages of ranking tournaments in 2024.
The recent Scottish Open was the third time in the 2024-25 season that three Chinese players had reached the last four of a ranking tournament – something that had never before been achieved.
“Our younger players have been playing better and better, [the two finalists in Scotland,] Lei Peifan and Wu Yize are both young,” world No 13 Si said. “[Wuhan Open winner] Xiao Guodong isn’t young, but he also played very well, just like Zhang Anda.
“So I think everyone will improve and get better, and our skills will advance and we will become more mature. I feel our improvement will be much faster than that of the British players.”
Ding, 37, ended a five-year title drought with his career 15th ranking tournament title in Nanjing in November, and said his younger compatriots just needed more appearances at the later stages of tournaments to continue their growth.
“Players like Si and a few others have been playing well,” the world No 9 said. “But say, for example, Wu Yize – he doesn’t have too much experience competing in the later stages of a tournament, and he hasn’t been through a lot [of ups and downs].
“So despite his playing quite well, the lack of experience might cost him and create a fluctuation in form.
“That being said, these players are still young, so after experiencing setbacks a few times, they will get to know how to handle playing in the closing stages of a tournament.”
Si, who lost 5-2 to Mark Williams in the Casino City on Friday, described his performance for the first half of the season – reaching the final in Wuhan and securing a semi-final berth at the new Saudi Arabia Masters in Riyadh – as “OK”.
“I certainly need more experience and play better defence, going forward,” he said. “Sometimes I cannot find the best route to play a shot, or I would play it a bit too complicated.
“And then the way I think [at the table], I believe there are some differences with the other top players, and my defence also has a relatively big gap with them.
“I hope I am not giving myself too much pressure – I think too much at times, and I should be happy to just play the best I can.”


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World Snooker

Chinese snooker in good hands with Ding Junhui, Si Jiahui eyeing more emerging talent

Ding Junhui, seen here at the Macau Masters, says snooker in China is heading in an upwards trajectory. Photo: Handout

World No 13 Si Jiahui lost 5-2 to Mark Williams at the Macau Masters. Photo: Handout

Third British snooker player eyes Hong Kong residency after Judd Trump, Ronnie O’Sullivan

Jack Lisowski said he could follow in the footsteps of Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan by taking up Hong Kong residency under the city’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Photo: Handout

Jack Lisowski (right) lost to compatriot Ronnie O’Sullivan in Macau on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Manchester United fan Judd Trump says Red Devils should aim to emulate his snooker success

Judd Trump says the United players need to feel as he does after he loses any match. Photo: Xinhua

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim (left) needs to buy new players, both snooker stars say. Photo: AP

China’s Ding Junhui says he has high hopes for new United head coach, Ruben Amorim. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

China

Other Sport

With 13 players from China inside the top 50, Si said the country’s upwards trajectory in the sport is not going to stop soon


With 13 players from China inside the top 50, Si said the country’s upwards trajectory in the sport is not going to stop soon.
