Shaun Murphy, a former World Champion, walked away from a recent match utterly astonished. He hadn’t simply faced an opponent; he’d encountered a prodigy – Wang Xinzhong, a 14-year-old whose skill defied his age. The contest, played at the International Championship in Nanjing, China, was a breathtaking display of talent and composure.
Wang entered the tournament as a wildcard, a long shot against seasoned professionals. Yet, he immediately began to rewrite expectations, stunning onlookers by defeating two established players. First, he overcame women’s world champion Bai Yulu in a thrilling 6-4 match, despite Bai’s record-breaking 145 break. He then dispatched Robbie Williams with a decisive 6-1 victory, showcasing a maturity and precision rarely seen in someone so young.
The clash with Murphy represented a monumental leap in competition. Murphy, a champion in 2005 and a three-time Crucible finalist, seemed poised to dominate. He initially surged ahead, claiming a 3-0 lead, but Wang refused to yield.
A remarkable shift occurred as Wang seized control, winning five of the next six frames. Breaks of 81, 100, 58, 105, and 74 propelled him to a 5-4 lead, placing him on the verge of a stunning upset. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the young wildcard threatened to topple a snooker legend.
Murphy, known as “The Magician,” responded with a crucial 72 break, forcing a deciding frame. After a re-rack, he ultimately secured the match 6-5 with a composed 89. But even in victory, Murphy was captivated by his opponent’s performance.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Murphy confessed. “I was good at 14, Ronnie [O’Sullivan] was good at 14, but this young man may well be the best 14-year-old I’ve ever seen.” He described Wang’s play as effortless, like a veteran with a wealth of experience, predicting a brilliant future for the Chinese talent.
Murphy emphasized the respect he had for Wang, acknowledging the teenager’s previous victories against formidable opponents. He revealed his own exceptional performance, admitting he’d barely missed a ball, yet still found himself trailing against a player exhibiting “snooker from the gods.”
Currently an amateur, Wang’s trajectory points towards a swift transition to the professional tour. His exceptional ability suggests he’ll soon be competing regularly against the world’s elite, a prospect that excites those who witnessed his Nanjing brilliance. This wasn’t his first taste of success either; he’d previously won a ranking match at the age of 12.
Murphy now advances to the last 32, where he will face Elliot Slessor. Other notable results from Monday’s play included victories for Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong, Ding Junhui, and John Higgins, setting the stage for compelling matches in the rounds to come.
