THE game's hottest property, Chris Melling must out-man-oeuvre Taipei's 'Cold-faced Killer' in pursuit of his next world pool crown.

Melling, 22, from Keighley is seen as the 'real danger man' in the world 9-ball championship which starts tomorrow in Cardiff.

He was anticipating being drawn in snooker star Jimmy White's group and an early appearance before the Sky Sports cameras. But instead he faces defending champ, Fong Pang Chao as 128 players from 44 nations seek to pot a first prize of £46,000.

"It's the strongest field ever assembled under one roof," says Glen Pilkington, of Pilky's.

"Players from countries as diverse as Nicaragua, Indonesia and Hungary will be there as well as stars from major league nations such as USA, Germany, Philippines and Taiwan."

Melling, who has cleaned up the world 8-ball and Embassy International Masters titles in the last month, even had to qualify for the Cardiff event, which starts tomorrow and concludes on Sunday week. He also had to make it through the qualifiers a year ago before losing to top American Jon Kucharo in the last 32.

But this time he's 'on fire' after his 8-ball heroics.

He started playing the game at the age of eight - firstly for a women's team. He is now the first person to be professional at 8-ball, 9-ball and snooker. First to congratulate him after his world title win in Blackpool was mum Elli and dad Derek. "I'd asked them not to come because I always seem to lose when they watch me," said Chris. "But I spotted dad during the interval, trying to hide behind a pillar."

Tickets for the Admiral world pool championship are free for the first seven days and are available in person from the Cardiff International Arena box office or on 02920 224488. Sky Sports has more than 60 hours of live coverage over the nine days and it is also being shown live across Asia