Snooker World Championship: Zhao Outplays O'Sullivan, Advances to Final for Historic Opportunity
Zhao Xintong, a snooker powerhouse, is just one victory away from making history as China's first-ever World Snooker Championship winner. following an electrifying semi-final beatdown of seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The 28-year-old drama unfolded at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre late on Friday, with an astounding first session ending 8-0 in Zhao's favor – securing a commanding 12-4 lead in the best-of-33 contest. The evening saw Zhao clinching the game, setting the stage for the final match on Sunday and Monday.
"I'm ecstatic!" Zhao exclaimed, expressing gratitude to O'Sullivan, who he credits with offering guidance and mentorship on the table and over lunch.
"It's unbelievable that I could oust Ronnie – I merely wanted to savor this one-table match," Zhao reminisced, reflecting on his maiden semi-final run – an experience that spotlights a single contest.
Despite his impressive successes, Zhao's journey has been tainted by a fringe role in a match-fixing scandal[1][2]. In 2023, he was suspended for 20 months following admission of involvement in match-fixing and betting violations – a scandal that shook the snooker world and was considered one of the sport's largest. Zhao was accused of facilitating another player's match-fixing in two matches and betting on snooker events himself[1]. His ban concluded in September 2024, paving the way for his return to professional play at the 2024 World Snooker Championship, where he faced Jak Jones at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in the first round[1][2].
Ten Chinese players compete in this year's championship, showcasing China's growing influence in snooker despite recent controversies[1].
On Monday, Zhao Xintong will contest the finals of the World Snooker Championship, striving to etch his name in history as the first Chinese champion. This momentous occasion follows his emphatic 8-0 victory over seven-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan during their semi-final session on Friday. Remarkably, Zhao's success comes after overcoming a two-year suspension for involvement in match-fixing and betting violations, casting a shadow on his career but not dampening his spirit on the snooker table.
