Wu Yize continued his stunning rise in snooker by defeating Hossein Vafaei 13-8 in the World Snooker Championship quarter-final on Wednesday night. The 22-year-old Chinese star, who won his first ranking title at the International Championship this season, reached his first Crucible semi-final in emphatic fashion.
Vafaei's PlayStation Comparison
After the match, Vafaei compared playing against Wu to facing a video game opponent. 'The guy was potting from everywhere. I lost four or five frames out of nowhere!' Vafaei told the BBC. 'That was from a shot to nothing, potting them and making 60-70 easily. It was like playing against a PlayStation.'
The Iranian, also making his Crucible quarter-final debut, admitted he felt helpless despite playing decently. 'I didn't do much wrong, I think. My opponent was playing very well. Sometimes it's tough, and you think, where should I put the cue ball? It was very tough. I didn't play well at all in this match. First session I was a little bit tired, but my opponent played very well. Congrats to him. Whoever beats me like that, I have to clap for him.'
Wu's Rhythm and Confidence
Wu, who had already beaten compatriot Lei Peifan 10-2 and four-time champion Mark Selby 13-11, admitted he struggled early on. 'The first session at 4-4 I talked to myself, why play like this? Then I talked to myself, I need to find my rhythm and I'm happy I pulled it out,' he said. 'The last session I finally found my rhythm, which I'm really happy about.'
With a high break of 135, Wu dominated the second and third sessions after a level 4-4 start. He now faces Mark Allen in the semi-finals, with both players seeking their first Crucible final appearance. 'It's going to be my first time in the one-table session. I can do anything now,' Wu added.
Allen's Perspective
Allen, who beat Barry Hawkins 13-11 earlier on Wednesday, acknowledged Wu's threat. 'He's going to be very dangerous. I think he'll relish the one-table set-up,' Allen said. Despite a disappointing Crucible record for a player of his calibre, Allen remains optimistic. 'I still haven't been anywhere near my best but I'm in the semi-final. 95 per cent of the tour would snap your hand off for that,' he said. 'Maybe try to talk myself up a little bit which I'm not too keen on doing, but maybe I should because maybe there's a lot more good snooker in there that I'm just not believing in.'
Allen added: 'I'm thinking about it [becoming world champion] because I come here every year thinking I can win it and it's no different this year. It's nearer because I'm in the semis but I'm only half way when it comes to frames won, there's a long, long way to go, but I feel I'm the type of player if I can get on a run, four or five days in a row it gives me a good chance.'
