‘Really special’ Wu will be number one – O’Sullivan

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan believes that the “really special” Wu Yize will become the world number one within three years.

Wu won his first ranking title when he beat four-time world champion John Higgins in the final of the International Championship in November.

Afterwards, Higgins described the 22-year-old from China as a “total star” and compared him to three-time Masters champions Paul Hunter, who died in 2006 aged 27.

However, O’Sullivan said Wu reminded him of six-time world champion and BBC Sport pundit Steve Davis.

“I think Wu Yize is gong to be world number one, I’d give him three years, definitely going to be world champion very, very soon, [he’s a] phenomenal player,” said O’Sullivan, speaking before this week’s World Grand Prix in Hong Kong.

“A lot of people liken him to Paul Hunter but I think he’s more like a modern day Steve Davis.

Wu also made his Masters debut in January and reached the semi-finals where he was beaten 6-5 by eventual champion Kyren Wilson.

O’Sullivan added: “I practiced with him for two or three days in Hong Kong not long ago and it’s not until you practice with someone that you can really appreciate how good they are. After day two I was like ‘this kid is really special’.