CHINESE revelation Si Jiahui has lit up the 2023 World Snooker Championship with a brand of exciting and proficient attacking snooker.

The 20-year-old’s displays have propelled him all the way to the semi-finals. Regardless of whether he makes it to the final or what happens in it, this 2023 tournament will be remembered for his performances.

In reaching this stage of snooker’s most prestigious competition at its legendary venue — the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield — he became the youngest semi-finalist at the tournament since Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1996 and the first debutant to reach them since Andy Hicks in 1995.

The snooker world has been expecting a Chinese world champion for some time.

Five Chinese players — Pang Junxu, Ding Junhui, Fan Zhengyi, Wu Yize, plus Si — qualified for the Crucible this year, but only Ding did so as a top-16, seeded player.

Ding, 36, is one of the greatest Chinese snooker players the game has seen. He has been a trailblazer for players from the region, along with others including James Wattana of Thailand who reached the World Championship semi-finals twice in the 1990s, and Marcu Fu of Hong Kong who achieved the same in the first decade of the 2000s.

In 2016, Ding became the first Asian player to reach the final, losing 18-14 to Mark Selby. Si looks like he could be the player to finally go one further and win the thing.

Though this is partly the story of a possible, long-awaited, first Chinese winner, which would be considered a big moment for the sport globally, it is also the story of a young player playing some extraordinary snooker, regardless of nationality.

Should Si come through the semi-final against Brecel and go on to win the tournament in a final against either Selby or Mark Allen, he would become the youngest player ever to do so.

The current holder of that title is Stephen Hendry, who won the first of his finals against Jimmy White in 1990, aged 21.

But as Hendry himself has said, by that time he was already an established top-five ranked player on the circuit, had appeared at the Crucible four times previously, and had won two ranking titles — the British Open and the UK Championship.

Si, on the other hand, is a Crucible debutant ranked 80 in the world and had never reached the semi-final stage of any tournament before now.

His previous best performance was a quarterfinal at the European Masters this season where he lost to Kyren Wilson.

“This is one of the most exciting players,” said Crucible stalwart Dennis Taylor, the 1985 champion who is now commentating for the BBC.

“I’ve been coming to the Crucible since 1977 and I’ve enjoyed watching this young player as much as any match I’ve ever seen here.”

Though sometimes unpredictably attacking, Si’s decision-making and shot selection belies his years.

You would struggle to pick out bad shot choices in his break building and his cueball control has been up there with the best.

Even the attacking shots that more reserved or experienced players might consider unwise often come off, such is his talent.

His accurate long and medium-range potting, and the bravery and confidence in his ability to take on these shots, has daunted opponents.

Coming through qualifying he defeated Florian Nuessle, Tom Ford and Jordan Brown to reach the Crucible. 

Once there he defeated world number four Shaun Murphy in the first round, before winning matches against Robert Milkins and Anthony McGill to reach the semi-finals.

His semi-final opponent, the 28-year-old Luca Brecel, has received similar plaudits for his attacking, carefree snooker.

After being knocked out by the Belgian in the quarter-finals Ronnie O’Sullivan, widely regarded as the best player to ever play the game, described Brecel as “the most talented snooker player I’ve ever seen. Such a dynamic player.”

He added: “I’d love to see him win it just for snooker because that’s how snooker should be played. Phenomenal player.”

O’Sullivan commented that he loved watching Brecel play, and did so for much of their quarter-final clash, even in defeat. 

You get the impression Brecel will be thinking the same about Si, as he sits in his chair watching his young opponent pull off some unbelievable shots.

“I will keep trying my best, but I don’t want fans to expect too much,” said the humble Si after his quarter-final win.

“I am surprised to get this far because I didn’t think I was at the level of players who can make it to the semi-finals. I need to improve.”

If Si continues to play as he has been, he will be in the running to win this World Championship. If he improves further, as he suggests he needs to, he will be the favourite to win it.

From Crucible originals such as the BBC commentators Taylor and John Virgo to opponents and fellow pros, Si has drawn plaudits from almost astounded snooker followers who have been amazed by his performances and progress in this tournament.

Should he achieve the unimaginable and break Hendry’s record, it will be a huge moment for Chinese sport and for snooker itself.