Champ says he'd be 'flabbergasted' if Chinese star doesn't win a snooker title, Agence France-Presse reports.

Reigning world champion John Higgins believes it's just a matter of time before China's Ding Junhui wins snooker's most important tournament.

Higgins, who began the defense of his world title against Ding's compatriot Liang Wenbo at Sheffield's Crucible Theater on Saturday, has long been an admirer of Asia's most successful player.

Reigning world champion John Higgins believes it's just a matter of time before China's Ding Junhui (above) wins snooker's most important tournament, the snooker world championships, which began on Saturday. "You look at Ding Junhui, I'd be flabbergasted if he never wins a world title, because he's that good," Higgins said. Photo/ Agencies

While most of the pre-tournament attention has been on whether world No 1 Mark Selby will win a maiden world title to set alongside his ranking or fellow Englishman Judd Trump will go one better, after losing in last year's final, Higgins said Ding's chances also deserved serious consideration.

The 25-year-old beat Higgins to win the second of his two UK Championships - behind only the World Championship in terms of prestige - in 2009 and last year won the Masters, the sport's other major event.

"You look at Ding Junhui. I'd be flabbergasted if he never wins a world title, because he's that good," Higgins said.

Thanks mainly to the exploits of Ding, snooker has surged in popularity in China and the country now hosts three major professional tournaments.

Ding put a previously poor Crucible record behind him to reach the semifinals last year, beating Selby in the quarters before leading Trump 15-14 only to lose 17-14.

"I felt a bit nervous when it was 14-14," Ding said later.

"This is my first time in the semifinal and I now have more experience for next year," added Ding.

Neil Robertson, the first Australian to win the world title when he triumphed in 2010, suffered a shock first-round loss to Trump last year but beat another former world champion in Shaun Murphy to win the Masters in January.

"You could make the case for Neil Robertson," said Higgins, bidding for a fifth world title.

Robertson faces another potential banana skin when he comes up against 1997 champion Ken Doherty.