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Wu Yize lands first title as world champion as 22-year-old reaches new heights
World champion Wu Yize has added another title to his CV (Picture: Getty Images)
Wu Yize has won his first title since becoming world champion, beating Yuan Sijun 10-5 in the Shenzhen Open final, and climbing to new heights in the world rankings.
Still just 22 years old, Wu is up to number two in the rankings thanks to the £177,000 top prize in Shenzhen and moves very close to compatriot Zhao Xintong who holds the number one spot.
Wu started the final in style with a break of 117 to win the first frame, but that proved to be the only century of the contest.
The first session was keenly contested, with Yuan – in his first ranking final – looking good at 4-3 ahead and frustrating the favourite.
However, Wu produced a stunning long red which began a brilliant steal from 56 points behind to win the eighth and then moved ahead in the final frame of the afternoon.
Yuan’s challenge faltered in the second session and he would win just one more frame as Wu strolled to victory without really needing to hit top form.
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The world champion was not at his brilliant best for a lot of the tournament, with bursts of excellence, without being relentless with his world class break-building.
Wu Yize already has three ranking titles to his name (Picture: Getty Images)
His tactical play is improving, though, and that was on show in a fantastic 6-1 win over Judd Trump in the semi-finals.
That victory came after a 5-4 triumph over Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals, which saw Wu make breaks of 94, 121 and 117 from 3-2 behind.
Wu turns 23 later this month and has already racked up three ranking titles, including the biggest prize in the sport.
With this win guaranteeing his place in all the events this season to come, he will now have his sights firmly set on Zhao’s number one spot.
Yuan Sijun fell short in his first ranking final (Picture: Getty Images)
Despite defeat, Yuan enjoyed the best week of his career as he reached a first ranking final and secured more prize money and ranking points (£76,000) than he ever has before.
He certainly had an easier route to the final than Wu, beating Fan Zhengyi, Zak Surety, Michael Holt and Jimmy Robertson on his way to the showpiece, but he made the most of a favourable draw.
A run to the final sees Yuan climb back inside the world’s top 32 and up to number seven on the one-year list, which means he is well placed for World Grand Prix and Players Championship qualification.
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Wu’s latest win will only further his stardom, especially in his home country, but he has been making an impact on and off the table around the world.
The Sheffield-based star was on show for Burberry at London Fashion Week last month and looked good doing it.
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said of the world champion: ‘Wu Yize has quickly become a superstar in China, he is popular amongst peers and fans, drawing huge crowds this week.
‘He has also become popular amongst major global brands, so this is a very exciting time for snooker.
‘This new style of play, attacking and fearless is attractive to all snooker players and fans, worldwide. Wu Yize was also seen at London Fashion Week promoting a major British fashion brand.
‘He is young, polite, cool, very presentable, and happy to engage with fans, and I am sure all young players will look up to his style, home and away.’
Wu will be back in action at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast on Monday October 19, taking on Scott Donaldson.
The Shenzhen Open proved to be wildly unpredictable in one half of the draw and entirely as you might expect in the other.
Early defeats for the likes of Zhao Xintong, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, Kyren Wilson and Neil Robertson meant the quarter-finals in the top half were Yuan vs Holt and Jimmy Robertson vs Chris Wakelin.
In the bottom half, the much more recognisable line-up saw Judd Trump hammer Mark Selby 5-0 and Wu edge Murphy 5-4.
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