Zhao Xintong told one thing he must avoid to shock Ronnie O'Sullivan at snooker World Championship

 The returning Chinese ace has been a standout performer in Sheffield and will face his idol for a place in the final

Zhao Xintong is on the verge of making the World Championship final

After 20 months out of the game Zhao Xintong is just one match away from the World Snooker Championship final.

But standing in his way is all-time great Ronnie O'Sullivan, who the 28-year-old Chinese star grew up idolising.

And Xintong has now been warned that he can't let his admiration for the Rocket overshadow the task at hand, with the potential for a gruelling 33 frames over the next three days.

Having impressed since returning from his ban for betting offences, John Parrott now hopes that the occasion doesn't get the better of Zhao.

He said: "It was interesting in the video with him he was saying how much he loves watching Ronnie play. What he can't do is sit in the chair and fall in love with him whilst he's playing.

"He's got to come here and actually do his own stuff on the table. Before people have come here and it is intimidating.

"He (O'Sullivan) is coming here and he's won it so many times. It's like his front room. But you've got to come and do your stuff. The opening session is very important."

Masters champion Shaun Murphy fancies Xintong to cause an upset, saying: "Ronnie has made a career of finding a gear and pushing people back when someone is pushing him.

"That hasn't happened this week yet in my opinion. And I think this is all about Zhao Xintong. If he settles, if he can handle this and who he's playing then he could fly off into the distance.

Shaun Murphy is backing Zhao for an upset

"Nobody has put it up to Ronnie yet in this tournament. If Zhao Xintong can settle, calm the nerves and play snooker then he's got the gift and talent to cause a shock.

"He's totally inexperienced at this end of an event. He's a former UK Champion, but it's about how he settles in this arena."

Whilst Xintong has spoken about his admiration for the Rocket, the feeling is very much mutual. With O'Sullivan believing his opponent has the talent to win "three or four world titles."

In 2022 the Rocket said: "The last time I was this excited about a player was when I saw Stephen Hendry play when I was only about nine years old.

"Zhao is the only one since that made me think 'Wow, he could be something special'. He could be the greatest of all time with his talent, his ability."