The twenty year old, who lives in Urmston, is aiming to become a master of the green baize and will face one of his sternest challenges yet, when he takes on Jimmy White next month.

After just three years as a full professional Quinten, dubbed 'The Wizard of Oz', has moved into the top 50 ranked players in the world and is being tipped by most in the game to be the next big thing.

As a youngster, growing up in his native Australia, he was a keen pool player and initially made that his game, but was pushed by his mother to move away from the pubs where he was playing.

He told SAM/SUM: "When I was just 10 years old, I was playing pool almost every weekend and making about £25 a day by laying down challenges to opponents.

"I was taking the pubs by storm, but my mum was getting worried about me hanging out in sleazy places, and contacted a number out of the paper for a snooker teacher."

This led to a move into the world of snooker having an immediate effect, as he became the youngest player in history to make a live, televised century break, aged just 13.

The talent was soon prospering and a chance meeting with local manager, Brandon Parker led to a new partnership to help push his career forward.

Quinten said: "Initially, I wasn't interested in having a manager and was aiming to handle my own affairs.

"I bumped into Brandon through another player and liked what he had to offer, and it went from there."

Since the two got together Quinten's career has snowballed with his best tournament finish coming just last year in the Thailand Open, when he beat highly ranked John Higgins en route to the quarter finals.

Now he is set to shoot into the public eye even more with his qualification for the world championships at Sheffield.

His manager, Brandon said: "It is looking good for him at the minute, especially with the game becoming more and more a place for the younger players."

He added: "With his dyed blonde hair, he is already attracting an army of younger followers, but he is keeping his feet on the ground."

As club professional for Bowlers in Trafford Park, he is relishing the prospect of facing Jimmy White on home turf, especially with the prize of £10,000 up for grabs.

Quinten continued: "I just have to watch out that I don't lose my head, but facing a player of Jimmy White's calibre can only be good experience for me."

The challenge match takes place at Bowlers on Tuesday, April 14 and tickets are priced £25 for VIP places (including dinner), and £10 for standard tickets and more details are available on 873-7388.

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