Ronnie O'Sullivan's 'future world champion' prediction Si Jiahui makes winning start at Championship League snooker

Si Jiahui showed why Ronnie O'Sullivan expects him to become a future world champion with a classy display at the Championship League in Leicester. Returning to competitive action for the first time since the dejection of his agonising 17-15 loss to Luca Brecel in the World Championship semi-finals in April, Si picked up from where he left off by winning Group 25. Ad O'Sullivan has been quick to praise the talents of 20-year-old Si, who led Brecel 14-5 and was within two frames of the final on his Crucible debut.

Snooker'Just needs experience' – O'Sullivan reveals when Si could become China's first world champion29/06/2023 AT 08:40 “In another three or four years’ time, he might win the tournament. It’s just experience,” O'Sullivan told reporters during his trip to China to promote the new Macau Masters invitational event, which is due to be held over the festive period (December 25-29 at the Wynn Palace Hotel). The Chinese player – who turns 21 on Tuesday – completed a 3-1 win over Haydon Pinhey before a 2-2 draw with Mohamed Ibrahim was followed by a 3-0 victory over Mark Joyce at the Morningside Arena.

Meanwhile, former Crucible last-16 competitor James Cahill was boosted by a new cue as he emerged victorious in Group 20 with two 3-0 wins over Andres Petrov and Matthew Selt, respectively. A 3-0 defeat to Sydney Wilson ultimately proved meaningless in the final-section standings with Cahill finishing above Selt from their head-to-head meeting. Noppon Saengkham, Mark Davis and Michael Holt take to the table in Monday's action at the Championship League.