Ronnie O’Sullivan has tipped Kyren Wilson to become snooker’s next superstar.

Wilson won a late-night thriller at the Crucible Theatre on Thursday to reach the second round of the World Championship.

His heroics in a 10-9 win over Joe Perry had O’Sullivan gripped, and as the match neared its conclusion the five-time world champion tweeted: “Kyren Wilson is going to be the best player in the world one day.”

O’Sullivan was breaking his silence, having snubbed mandatory media interviews following his own first-round victory in Sheffield, which earned him a warning from World Snooker.

While 40-year-old O’Sullivan is the title favourite, Wilson has half an eye on the trophy too.

He landed the Shanghai Masters title this season, for his first ranking tournament win, and the 24-year-old from Kettering is full of confidence in his ability.

Wilson said: “I want to make memories at the Crucible and you’re only going to do that by winning matches.

“To tick the first one off the list is absolutely fantastic and it’s certainly just behind Shanghai.”

Mark Allen awaits Wilson in the last 16, with their match starting tomorrow morning.

Wilson said in a press conference: “I come to tournaments now believing I can win, but you can’t get too far ahead of yourself.

“I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself but it’d be the icing on the cake to lift the world championship title.”