Peter Ebdon hit top form in Dublin today to reach the second round of the Irish Masters. The 2002 world champion fired in breaks of 136, 64, 125 and 79 in defeating Preston's Ian McCulloch 5-2.
The 33-year-old Ebdon admitted in victory that his zest for the game has been sharpened by the emergence of a clutch of young, talented players who are beginning to threaten the elite.
"Looking at the results this season, there's evidence that snooker is never going to be the same again," he said. "The standard is so incredibly high so it's a really exciting period we're entering.
"There are three or four players who will make a real impact in the next few seasons and we haven't been able to say that for some time. I just hope I'm still there when it all changes."
Ebdon, the 1995 Irish Masters champion, practices with one young hopeful at the First Artist academy at Rushden.
Ding Jun Hui, a 17-year-old from China, impressed many observers on his appearance as a wild card at the Wembley Masters last month and has since qualified for the Players Championship in Glasgow.
Ebdon, who has watched him close up day after day on the practice table, is convinced he will be snooker's next big thing.
"Ding is perhaps the greatest talent I have ever seen. I think he'll go all the way and be world champion. He could win it many times in my opinion.
"I've been lucky to be able to practice with such a young and exciting player."
Ebdon faces Nigel Bond for a place in the quarter-finals after the 1995 Crucible runner-up beat 16th seed Joe Perry 5-3.
Bond, who lost in the world championship qualifiers last week, finished off with a break of 118.