YAN BINGTAO became the first player born this century to play in the snooker world championship, but the Chinese teenager’s Crucible debut didn’t go as he would have hoped.

    Yan, born in February 2000, arrived in Sheffield hailed as one of the brightest young stars in a growing band of Chinese players making an impact on the sport.

    The 17-year-old showed glimpses of the talent that many expect will bring him glory in his career, making a fine 109 break in the second frame of his first-round tie against Shaun Murphy on Sunday.

    But Yan still ended up trailing 3-6 at the end of the first session as Murphy’s extra experience on the big stage proved crucial.

    Murphy, the 2005 world champion, has twice lost to Yan in three previous meetings but their first Crucible encounter presented a different challenge to the teenager. Although based in Sheffield, Yan had never played at the venue previously while Murphy has abundant experience of the famous theater.

    Murphy rattled in 112 and 118 to surge 4-1 ahead, before shaking off the setback of losing the next two frames by taking control at the session’s end.

    They play to a finish in the best-of-19-frame match the next day.

    (SD-Agencies)