Ronnie O’Sullivan Hails Chang Bingyu as Wuhan Open Favourite Ahead of Semi-Final Clash

Ronnie O’Sullivan Hails Chang Bingyu as Wuhan Open Favourite Ahead of Semi-Final Clash

 

 

 

Ronnie O’Sullivan has backed Chinese youngster Chang Bingyu to go all the way at the Wuhan Open after the 24-year-old produced a stunning quarter-final victory over world number one Judd Trump.

O’Sullivan booked his own place in the last four with a 5-3 victory over long-time rival Mark Selby on Thursday, setting up an intriguing semi-final against Chang. The seven-time world champion, however, was quick to praise his younger opponent and suggested that Chang should now be regarded as the favourite to lift the trophy.

Chang produced one of the biggest performances of the tournament when he defeated Trump 5-1. The Chinese player recovered from a competitive opening three frames before taking control and winning the final three frames in succession. He finished the match with a superb 132 break and also compiled breaks of 67, 69 and 58 during his impressive display.

The victory was particularly significant because Trump entered the tournament as the world number one. His defeat to Chang means he will lose the top ranking position, while Zhao Xintong subsequently secured the number-one spot after defeating Neil Robertson in the other quarter-final.

For Chang, the result represents another major step in his development. It is only the second time in his professional career that he has reached the semi-finals of a ranking event.

O’Sullivan believes the young Chinese star has the qualities required to compete at the highest level for many years.

“You have Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize, but this kid is up with them. Without a doubt,” O’Sullivan said after beating Selby. He also recalled telling a friend that he fancied Chang to win an earlier tournament in Taiyuan, before Chang eventually lost to Neil Robertson.

The veteran went even further by suggesting that Chang could now be considered the tournament favourite.

“He’s here in the semi-finals and maybe he is going to win a trophy. You probably have to say he is favourite to win the tournament,” O’Sullivan said.

Those comments carry considerable weight given O’Sullivan’s own experience and status within the sport. At 50, the Englishman remains one of snooker’s biggest names, but he has been open about his struggles with his game during the Wuhan Open.

Before reaching the semi-finals, O’Sullivan admitted that his snooker had been a “nightmare” for several years. He also acknowledged that he had not expected to go deep into the tournament. After defeating Selby, however, his performance suggested that he may still have another strong run in him.

Against Selby, O’Sullivan initially found himself under pressure after losing the opening two frames. The former world champion then responded with breaks of 87 and 96 to level the contest before taking the lead in the fifth frame.

Selby briefly restored parity at 3-3, but O’Sullivan finished strongly. He had a chance to make a maximum 147 break in the seventh frame, reaching 80 before missing a straightforward red. Rather than allowing the mistake to affect him, he immediately recovered and produced a superb 129 break to close out the match.

The win was another chapter in one of snooker’s most famous rivalries. O’Sullivan also paid tribute to Selby after the match, describing him as a legend and an all-time great while predicting that the four-time world champion still has plenty of good years ahead of him.

Yet the focus now turns firmly towards Chang.

The Chinese player has already shown that he is capable of defeating the very best. His win over Trump was not simply a narrow upset; he controlled the match during its decisive stages and demonstrated both scoring power and composure under pressure.

Chang himself admitted that he experienced some nerves after moving 2-0 ahead against Trump. He said he managed to adjust mentally and eventually completed what became his first professional victory over the former world champion. He also described Trump as a role model, particularly because both players are left-handed.

The semi-final therefore presents a fascinating contrast between experience and emerging talent. O’Sullivan has won 41 ranking titles and seven world championships, while Chang is attempting to reach only the second ranking-event final four of his career.

Chang has also previously spoken about O’Sullivan as the player he most wants to emulate, making Friday’s meeting particularly significant for him.

The Wuhan Open semi-final is scheduled for Friday, with the match played over the best of 11 frames. The winner will advance to the final, where a £175,000 first prize awaits.

For O’Sullivan, the opportunity is another chance to challenge for a ranking title despite his doubts about his current level. For Chang, it represents a chance to turn the biggest victory of his career into an even greater breakthrough.

And with O’Sullivan himself declaring Chang a potential tournament favourite, the young Chinese star enters the semi-final with an extraordinary endorsement from one of snooker’s greatest ever players.

The question now is whether Chang can justify the Rocket’s prediction when the two finally meet around the table.