Si Jiahui criticised by former Masters champion after 'alarming' defeat to Judd Trump at German Masters - 'Not good enough for a professional'

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Si Jiahui looked to be on the cusp of greatness when he reached the semi-finals of the 2023 World Championship, losing 17-15 to Luca Brecel after leading 14-5, but remains the only member of the sport's top 16 without a ranking title. Former Masters champion Alan McManus feels that Si's career has "stalled" after watching him struggle in a 5-2 defeat to Judd Trump in the German Masters last 16.

McManus slams Si for 'one of the worst shots I've seen in a long time'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Judd Trump produced a highest break of just 73 against Si Jiahui in the last 16 of the German Masters in Berlin, but it was more than enough for the world No. 1 to reach the quarter-finals with an unconvincing 5-2 win.

While three-time winner Trump will take on Xiao Guodong in the last eight on Friday night, live at 19:00 UK on live on TNT Sports and discovery+, former Masters champion Alan McManus feels Si should use the time to reflect on why his career has "stalled".

Si, 23, remains the only member of the world's top 16 who has yet to win a major ranking event title, losing twice in major finals in 2024 to Trump (5-10) at the German Masters and Xiao (7-10) at the Wuhan Open.

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The 2023 Crucible semi-finalist memorably defeated Trump 6-3 in the semi-finals in Wuhan 15 months ago, boosted by a magical maiden 147 and further breaks of 144, 108, 81, 71 and 61 with his opponent compiling 109, 89 and 59 in defeat.

But an exasperated McManus, a three-time Crucible semi-finalist, offered a withering critique of his levels on the main showpiece table on commentary for TNT Sports at the city's Tempodrom on Thursday, suggesting his shot selection was "not good enough for a professional".

Alan McManus and Jimmy White working for TNT Sports.

Image credit: Getty Images

Here is how McManus described the nature of what he felt was an "alarming" performance by the error-strewn world No. 16 with an average shot time reaching over 30 seconds and a paltry highest break of only 33.

"That's two poor shots. To land beyond the blue line was really poor," he said after Si failed to land on a red early in frame one: "I must admit, with Si Jiahui, I've been hoping and wanting him to kick on in his career, but it hasn't happened.

"To me, he's stalled in his career in some ways. I know he still wins matches, but I haven't seen him play all that well of late."

Then, after missing a red to right centre, he added: "Dear oh dear. That was a mile away for a player of Si Jiahui's class. I'm a wee bit concerned about how I think his career has stalled in some ways.

"That famous win against Judd in Wuhan about 16 months ago was actually the last time he's beaten a top 16 player.

"It's quite alarming for someone of that ability."

'Dear, oh dear' - Si shocks McManus with miss 'a mile away'

Video credit: TNT Sports

With Trump leading 1-0 Trump and 29-9, he said: "He's got to be better than that with his cue ball. That is so poor, to be cannoning the blue."

And with Trump at 1-0 and 39-15, he reflected: "I must admit Si Jiahui, don't like criticising any player, his safety play is very ordinary.

"He's really got to improve in that department going forward."

His thoughts when Trump was 1-0 ahead and 45-15 were: "That is so poor. He's nowhere near getting in behind the red, and he's sold the frame virtually. Nowhere near. He must learn.

"He's not prepared to put the graft in. He tries to play the money shot, if you like - and it goes completely wrong. Probably costs him the frame, and he is 2-0 behind.

"Trump is not being made to work hard enough by Si Jiahui."

Again, with Trump leading 3-1 and 13-8, he said: "He hits the ball too hard at times. Alright, he might fluke the red. But you can't be playing it at that pace. He like belts it. doesn't he?

"There are a few elements of his game I don't like, I must confess. He's very gifted, but he's too loose."

"That is one of the worst shots I've seen in a long, long time. That is not good enough for a professional," he said when Trump was leading 3-1 and 30-13. "He's made a complete mess of it.

With Trump leading 3-1 and 31-14, he added: "Si Jihuai has got to be a lot better in so many different areas if he's gong to become a player.

"Because I don't think he's nowhere near it yet."

Then, once Trump had established a 4-1, he observed: "If Si Jiahui is ever going to become a top player, he must improve and learn, being out there against Trump, Higgins and Selby of this world.

"If you can't beat them, join them."