Mark Allen isn’t buying the hype. While Ronnie O’Sullivan has publicly declared young Wu Yize destined for world number one and world championship glory, Allen suspects a more calculated motive behind the lavish praise.
Allen recently secured a 6-3 victory over Wu in Telford, a win that followed Wu’s breakout season, including an International Championship title and a stunning semi-final run at the Masters. O’Sullivan, captivated by the 22-year-old’s talent, hasn’t been shy about predicting a bright future.
“I’d give him three years, definitely going to be world champion very, very soon,” O’Sullivan proclaimed, comparing Wu to a dynamic, modern-day Steve Davis with exceptional positional play. He revealed intensive practice sessions with Wu in Hong Kong, leaving him convinced of the young player’s special abilities.
But Allen, a seasoned professional himself, views O’Sullivan’s endorsements with a critical eye. He believes the seven-time world champion has a history of elevating young players, only to see them falter under the immense pressure that follows.
“I’d rather just let the kid play,” Allen stated bluntly. “He’s still so young, don’t put any more pressure on him than some are already doing.” He pointed to past instances where O’Sullivan’s predictions for Stephen Maguire and Ding Junhui ultimately didn’t materialize.
Allen recalls O’Sullivan famously telling a defeated Maguire he was poised to “rule the game for 10 years” – a prophecy that never came to pass. This history fuels Allen’s skepticism, suggesting O’Sullivan strategically builds up potential rivals before adding the weight of expectation.
O’Sullivan himself admitted to offering Wu advice on refining his game, emphasizing the difference between relying on brilliance and developing the consistency needed to win even when not at his best. He shared insights from their practice sessions, aiming to help Wu unlock his full potential.
Allen acknowledges Wu’s undeniable talent and the excitement he brings to the sport. However, he believes the young star needs to broaden his skillset. He observed that Wu can become vulnerable when his long-range shots aren’t falling and his break-building stalls.
“If those long ones aren’t going in, he becomes quite easy to play against,” Allen explained after his win. Yet, he concedes that when Wu is on form, he’s a captivating player to watch, scoring with incredible speed and flair – embodying the style many fans crave.
Allen now awaits the winner of the match between Mark Selby and Jack Lisowski in the quarter-finals, carrying with him a pragmatic perspective on the pressures and pitfalls of the professional snooker world, and a quiet disagreement with the pronouncements of the game’s biggest star.
