Wu Yize likened to best of Judd Trump and Luca Brecel as he races into lead over Mark Allen in World Championship semi-final

Chinese sensation Wu has powered his way through the World Championship, and opened his semi-final against Mark Allen on Thursday evening in some style by taking the opening two frames with runs of 77 and 55.

Allen hit back to level at the interval, after some drama due to a power failure inside the venue, but Wu produced stunning snooker after the break to race into a 6-2 overnight lead.

Wu’s cue-ball control was not flawless, but time and again he picked off stunning pot after stunning pot to rescue the situation.

It was a display that made a huge impression on McManus and White in the TNT Sports studio.

”Everything that has been put in front of him he has dealt with,” McManus said of Wu. ”He is able to keep recycling the cue ball. You think he is out of position and he might miss, [but] no he doesn’t.

”He is a bit of a cross between Judd Trump of 15 years ago and Luca Brecel, the way he plays. He has got the cue ball going all around the houses, no problem. He has get-out-of-trouble pots, he has the touch. He has got it all.”

That view was echoed by White. The six-time Crucible finalist referenced the fact that Wu is attempting to follow in the footsteps of 2023 champion Brecel, who lost in the first round at the Crucible on more than one occasion before going on to win the title the year that he secured his first match win in Sheffield.

”The comparison as well with the cue action,” White said. ”Judd Trump has all the power and Luca Brecel is really long. He has got both.

”He does not mind the cue ball travelling and can pot his way out of trouble, but in the balls he has fantastic touch. 

”He has absolutely everything.”

Wu’s ball striking reminded White of elite-level golfers. 

”The sound of the balls, it’s like the sound of a good golf shot, bang, in the back of the pocket," White said. 

”He is not concerned about the scoreboard, he just wants to get to the next shot. It is effortless for him. He just wants to get in, pot the balls and clear up. He is getting stronger and stronger. 

”He is so good to watch. His cue action is so free, he fancies potting any ball on the table and is putting Mark under so much pressure.

”It has been fantastic stuff and fantastic to watch.

”Mark Allen is in trouble and it is only the first session.”

Allen and Wu will return on Friday afternoon for the second of four scheduled sessions, with the action live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

In the other semi-final, Shaun Murphy and John Higgins are locked together at 4-4. Their second session takes place on Friday morning.

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