Ronnie O'Sullivan has given a glowing verdict on Luca Brecel amid his ongoing punditry stint at the Welsh Open.
The Rocket has labelled the reigning world champion as 'phenomenal' but claims he could get 'found out' if he is not prepared to put the hard yards in.
O'Sullivan is continuing his break from competing, pulling out of this week's tournament last weekend due to 'anxiety' and 'stage fright'.
He confirmed he would still be in Llandudno to be a pundit for Eurosport and has been present on TV screens throughout the week so far.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has given a glowing verdict on Luca Brecel at the Welsh Open
Eurosport
O'Sullivan brutally told John Astley to 'find something else to do' following his first-round defeat to Mark Williams.
He also named his long-term rival John Higgins as the 'complete player' on Tuesday.
Now Brecel has received big compliments from O'Sullivan after the Belgian star beat Graeme Dott 4-1 in the third round.
Discussing Brecel's superb clearance in the final frame, O'Sullivan said: "Phenomenal, brilliant, amazing.
"Balls on cushions, potting long blues, white going twice across the table and getting on a red, flicking a red in. He potted some unbelievable balls.
"I have never seen anyone play… his topspin is phenomenal. If he is putting topspin on a ball you fancy him to pot it no matter where it is.
"It’s as if he shortens the gap up between the balls, it’s a bit like an optical illusion that he creates."
O'Sullivan believes Brecel is now the favourite to go all the way at the Welsh Open.
He added: "The first frames were impressive, but this here [clearance to win the match] says he is the favourite.
"Graeme Dott was putting it on him. Some beautiful stuff and after that and his previous performances, with the pedigree now he is world champion, you have to think he is the man to beat."
Like O'Sullivan, Brecel does not live and breathe snooker every second of the day.
But the Rocket insists the 28-year-old must still have a 'sustained effort' in order to win more tournaments.
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Luca Brecel impressed with a win over Graeme Dott at the Welsh Open
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O'Sullivan says Brecel will get 'found out' if he doesn't prepare properly.
He added: "If I was advising someone like Luca I would say you are never going to be a Stephen Hendry, a Judd Trump where you are living snooker, breathing it. For four months just give me four months of hard practice.
"Off the back of that four months, he can take time out and get away with it and not pick his cue up for months.
"But you have to have a sustained effort where you are living the life three or four hours a day, four or five times a week, playing all the tournaments, take your wins and losses.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has warned Luca Brecel to ensure he puts in the right amount of effort
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"After that, just play when you feel like it. With his talent he can do that, but you have to have a sustained effort where you put the hard yards in.
"If you are not prepared to do that you will get found out."
