Wu Yize wins Shenzhen Open, rises to world No. 2 in snooker rankings

Wu Yize secured his first ranking title since becoming world champion with a 10-5 win over Yuan Sijun in an all-Chinese final at the Shenzhen Open.

A profitable week for 22-year-old Wu pushes him to a career high of second place in the world rankings, behind Zhao Xintong.

It means that China has the leading two players in the rankings for the first time, further illustrating the country's position as a snooker superpower.

Wu became the second-youngest player to lift snooker's most coveted title at the Crucible when he beat Shaun Murphy in May, and he followed that up with a composed performance to see off surprise finalist Yuan at the Bao'an Sports Centre on Sunday.

Having demolished Judd Trump 6-1 in the semi-finals, Wu had early breaks of 117 and 80 to move 3-1 ahead against Yuan.

But, playing in his first ranking final, Yuan then reeled off three frames in a row.

Wu responded with two more half-centuries in the final frames of the opening session to take a 5-4 lead in the best-of-19 match.

Prospects of a tight final all the way to the finish line soon evaporated.

World champion Wu returned with breaks of 74 and 62 to take control at 8-5 in the evening session as Yuan struggled with his safety play.

And there was no way back for Yuan, 26, as Wu made sure of the trophy and the £177,000 top prize.

While Wu moves to second in the rankings, going ahead of Trump and Neil Robertson, Yuan jumps seven spots to 26th and earns £76,000.