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UK Championship: John Higgins tips Zhou Yuelong to become the next big star

John Higgins tips young Chinese snooker star Zhou Yuelong to become a huge hit, saying: "He's got a great temperament and all-round game, and he'll be here for years to come." The 22-year-old reached his first 'triple crown' quarter-final at the UK Championship

China's Zhou Yuelong plays against China's Ding Junhui during their first round game of the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield, northern England, on April 18, 2017.
Image: China's Zhou Yuelong has a bright future ahead of him, according to John Higgins

John Higgins has tipped Zhou Yuelong to become the next Chinese player to make a major breakthrough in snooker after being eliminated from this year's UK Championship by the youngster in Milton Keynes.

Three breaks over 60, including a 90 in the opening frame, were enough for 22-year-old Zhou to seal a 6-2 win over Higgins, a three-time winner of the competition, and reach his first 'triple crown' quarter-final.

Higgins showed signs of a revival with his highest break of 80 in the seventh frame and though he ultimately left himself with too much to do, he admitted how impressed he was with his conqueror.

Ding Junhui celebrates with his trophy after winning the final match against Stephen Maguire in the Final of the Betway UK Championship at The Barbican on December 08, 2019 in York, England.
Image: Ding Junhui won the UK Championship last year

Ding Junhui is the only Asian to have reached the top of the rankings or win a 'triple crown' event but Higgins believes Zhou has all the tools to emulate his Chinese compatriot.

"I really rate him as a player, he's a great young player," the Scottish veteran told Eurosport.

"He wants to improve every time you see him, he's always practising and I think he'll be the next player after Ding to really break through and win a really big tournament.

"He's got a great temperament and all-round game, and he'll be here for years to come."

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Higgins even feels world No 23 Zhou did not have to be at his best to win, adding: "He probably didn't play as well as he can play, he missed a few which he normally never misses."

Neil Robertson of Australia plays a shot against Jack Lisowski of Great Britain during in the final of 2019 World Snooker China Open at Olympic Sports Centre April 7, 2019 in Beijing, China.
Image: Neil Robertson will face Mark Selby next

Another former multiple winner, Neil Robertson, fared better but had to come from behind to sink Glasgow's Anthony McGill 6-4.

McGill looked in control for much of the match but a superb 132 break in the seventh frame got Robertson's campaign up and running and he reeled off four in a row to seal his last eight spot.

Robertson will next take on Mark Selby, whose breaks of 121, 117 and 106 helped him overcome Barry Hawkins 6-3.

Joe Perry won the last four frames to clinch victory over Jamie Jones by the same scoreline.

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