World Snooker Championship 2024: Si Jiahui touted as a potential future world champion by snooker legend

Chinese youngster Si Jiahui has received high praise from several experts after his deciding frame opening round victory against Mark Williams in the 2024 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre.

The 21-year-old, who reached the semi-finals of snooker’s blue riband event on debut 12 months ago, once again impressed on the biggest stage as he coolly compiled a decisive break of 77 in the final frame to oust the in-form three-time world champion who came back at him from 9-7 down.

Si is now three from three in deciding frames at the Crucible; last year he pipped Shaun Murphy and Anthony McGill in round one and the quarter-finals, respectively. On top of that, in the qualifiers for this year’s Championship, he also squeezed past Ben Mertens via the odd frame in the penultimate round - and having needed a snooker when 9-8 behind.

Following his memorable run to the one-table set-up in Sheffield in 2023, Si wasn’t initially able to build on that success elsewhere on the professional circuit, although that changed when he appeared in his first ranking event final at the 2024 German Masters where he lost 10-5 to Judd Trump.

Against the vastly experienced and decorated Williams on Tuesday, Si recovered from a first session deficit and was mentally tough in the decider having spurned a good opportunity in frame 17 to win the tie. He also didn’t appear to show scarring from his dramatic exit last year when he lost to eventual champion Luca Brecel 17-15 having been 14-5 up.

Speaking to Eurosport post-match, a magnanimous Williams said of his opponent “I take my hat off to him. It is one of the best 70-odds you are going to see.”

“He has potential to be a world champion, no question. If he can knock in breaks like that one in the last frame a bit more consistently then he can beat anybody.”

In the Eurosport studio, pundits Jimmy White and Alan McManus also heaped adulation on the exciting prospect. Ten-time ranking event winner White said: “He loves the pressure. It was a fantastic break in the last frame. He has such fantastic technique. Boy, what a player.

“That last frame, the way he held himself together, he has plenty of mettle.”

Former Masters champion McManus said: “The quality was excellent. Myself and Jimmy have suggested already this week that the sky is the limit for this guy.”

Next up for Si at the Crucible is a meeting with fellow qualifier Jak Jones in the last 16 that begins Friday morning. Welshman Jones was also a star on his debut in 2023 as he made it all the way to the last eight.