Chinese players impress in Haikou World Snooker Open

For promising young talents in any sport, one thing you can't gain, no matter how hard you practice is the experience that comes with playing against the best in the world. Six young Chinese snooker stars are getting that chance this week at the 2013 Haikou World Snooker Open.

This year's tournament in Haikou has awarded six of its eight wild card spots to promising young Chinese players.

With an average age of 17, they will have a long way to go before they can hope to match the stature of the nation's top player Ding Junhui. But a chance to test their skills against some of the best in the world is very valuable experience.

Coach Pang Weiguo said, "For a wildcard player to participate in such an international event at home is a great opportunity for the Chinese youth to train and to accumulate experience. And the most important thing is that they can know how to realize the gap between them and the professionals. Often, the gap exists more with experience rather than skills."

Of the six wild card entries, four fell in the preliminary round, but two were able to make the cut. 19-year-old Lin Shuai was among the losers, falling to 42-year-old Scottish vet Alan McManus. Lin, admittedly overwhelmed by the moment.

Lin Shuai said, "I was quite nervous as I have never taken part in such an event. I will be much more patient when participating in tournaments like this in the future."

The two Chinese to move on to the main draw were Zhao Xintong, who thrashed Andrew Higginson 5-1 and he will be joined by Lv Haotian who beat Simon Bedford 5-2.

The young Chinese players are turning heads with their play in Haikou. The two young Chinese will be in for tough tests in the opening round as Lv Haotian gets Mark Selby, while Zhao Xintong faces Stuart Bingham.