Stephen Hendry has cast doubt on Ronnie O'Sullivan's claim that Wu Yize can surpass their joint record of seven world titles. Wu clinched his maiden Crucible crown earlier this month by seeing off Shaun Murphy in an epic final-frame decider.
At just 22 - half the age of many of his rivals - the Chinese star has time on his side to clock up many more major titles. O'Sullivan, who has been mentoring Wu, believes he can eventually overtake him and Hendry.
However, the Scot isn't so sure and reckons, at this stage, 2025 world champion Zhao Xintong, 29, is still the superior player. Addressing fans' questions on his Cue Tips show, Hendry said: "Ronnie said that, he thinks Wu can take our seven world titles.
"That's obviously going to be a huge ask for Wu to do because of all the talent he's going to come up against. Xintong, I think, is going to be winning three, four world titles, so Wu's got to be in amongst that. It's not going to be easy.
"I've been asked who I think is the better player, Zhao Xintong or Wu Yize. I think Zhao's got a bit more finesse, a bit better cue ball control, but Wu Yize backs himself to pot these incredible balls. It's going to be incredible to see how their rivalry progresses over the next 15-20 years."
Wu's £500,000 Crucible triumph saw him rise to fourth in the world rankings, one spot behind Zhao. Judd Trump still leads the way from Neil Robertson in second.
O'Sullivan reckons it is only a matter of time before Wu takes top spot. Speaking ahead of the World Championship, he said: "I think Wu Yize is going to be world number one in the next three years. Phenomenal snooker player.
"A lot of people liken him to Paul Hunter, but I think he's more like a modern-day Steve Davis. He's more dynamic, he has more cue power, more scoring power. But his positional play, for me, it's on the level of Steve Davis. Everything goes in the middle of the hole.
"I practised with him for two or three days in Hong Kong not long ago, and it's not until you practise with someone you can appreciate how good they are.
"After two days, I thought, 'This kid's really special.' I'd love to see him go and fulfil his potential as a professional. He's only 22.
"I expect him to do a lot of great things in snooker. It's important to have players you want to watch. I would watch him all day long."
Having won the World Seniors title at the Crucible last weekend, O'Sullivan faces Luca Brecel in the final of the quickfire Snooker 900 Global Championship.
