Liu Chuang

At the 2012 World Championship, Liu beat Rod Lawler 10-7, Jimmy White 10-8 and Jamie Cope 10-7 to reach the Crucible for the second time.

The Chinese potter was drawn against Mark Williams in Sheffield and lost 10-6. “The first time I played here four years ago I was nervous, but this year I wasn’t as nervous. I didn’t feel like I played my best,” said Liu.

He earned a place on the 2010/11 professional tour by winning the 2010 Asian Under-21 Championship. He beat Thanawat Tirapaipongboon 10-5 in the final.

The young Chinese cueman made his tour debut in 2007/08 and enjoyed a brilliant run in the World Championship qualifiers. Wins over Colin Mitchell, Lee Walker, Joe Delaney and David Gray put him into the final round, where he stunned Dominic Dale 10-9 to become only the fourth 17-year-old (after Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump) to qualify for the Crucible.

When the random draw for the last 32 was made the following day, Liu was stunned to see his name come out against his boyhood idol O’Sullivan.

“I like the way he plays but I will be nervous when I go into the arena with him,” admitted Liu.

He held his own in the first session at Sheffield, standing at 4-4 after eight frames, but the Rocket then pulled away to win 10-5.

He was relegated from the pro tour at the end of the 2014/15 season.