Snooker icon warns rivals about 16-year-old rookie with large future forward of him

Former Masters and UK Championship winner Matthew Stevens confronted a 16-year-old on Wednesday who he expects to have a really shiny future in snooker.

Few can have heard of Chinese language teenager Lan Yuhao earlier than, with the teenager solely a matter of days into his first season as an expert.

Lan was competing on the Championship League in Leicester on Wednesday and completely impressed the Welsh veteran.

The tour rookie picked up a 2-2 draw in opposition to Stevens, knocking in a break of 69 within the first body, but it surely was in a subsequent match that he actually sparkled.

In a conflict with fellow rookie Xu Yichen, Lan picked up his first skilled win, beating his compatriot 3-1.

It was not a lot the victory that impressed, however the gorgeous break of 142 he knocked in alongside the best way.

Stevens actually appreciated what he noticed from the teenager and expects to see much more from him within the years to come back.

After topping the group and progressing to the following stage of the Championship League, the Welshman stated: ‘I let you know who I used to be impressed with, the 16-year-old within the group. He’s obtained some future, he hits the ball very well.

‘He’s positively going to be a ache sooner or later for lots of gamers.’

One other Welsh veteran, Dominic Dale, was on commentary as Lan made the epic 142 break in opposition to Xu and likened him to a Chinese language star who’s a couple of years forward of him.

‘He’s obtained a contact of Si Jiahui about him, this younger fellow, with the tempo,’ stated Dale. ‘He’s a assured participant, what a break this has been.’

Commentator Phil Yates puzzled aloud: ‘Have we simply seen the primary glimpse of future stardom?’

It is vitally early to be getting too excited, with Lan successful simply certainly one of his first 5 video games on tour, however there may be clearly lots of expertise and potential within the new arrival within the skilled recreation.

As a 15-year-old he very almost certified for the professional tour, reaching the ultimate spherical of 2024 Asia & Oceania Q Faculty, having gained eight matches over two occasions.

Lan may be happy along with his performances on Wednesday, however Yuan Sijun may be delighted along with his, successful the opposite Championship League group in motion with out dropping a body.

The 25-year-old beat Stuart Carrington, Alexander Ursenbacher and Sanderson Lam 3-0, with the ultimate victory an exhibition of break-building.

Given Yuan had already secured high spot within the group he may have taken his foot off the pedal in opposition to Lam, however fairly the alternative occurred as he knocked in breaks of 104, 123 and 106.

Yuan was tipped for the highest some years in the past and he has not fairly made the progress some anticipated, however with 5 victories from 5 matches thus far this season, perhaps now could be his time to step up.

As for 47-year-old Stevens, he’ll return for the second stage later this month and proceed on the lookout for his first rating title since 2003, which he nonetheless believes he can land.

‘I say the identical yearly, it’ll be good to get to a closing and hopefully win a match,’ he stated. ‘We noticed Joe Perry win a match and Rob Milkins do effectively, there’s no motive why I can’t.

‘I don’t apply sufficient, I do know that and that’s as much as me. However it’ll be good to get deep right into a match, win three or 4 matches and that’s my apply actually. Let’s see what occurs, I’ve positively obtained the expertise to win one other occasion.’

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