"Zhao Xintong Makes Heroic World Snooker Championship Victory: Outstanding Display Against Mark Williams in the Final"
Spicy Take on Zhao Xintong's World Snooker Championship Victory
Chinese phenom Zhao Xintong just conqueror'd the Snooker Hall of Fame, edgin' out three-time world champion Mark Williams with an astoundin' 18-12 triumph. This epic showdown took place at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, markin' the first-ever Asian victory in the prestigious tournament.
Beyond snatchin' the title, Zhao made history as the first amateur champion of the event and only the third player from outside the UK to lift the trophy since 1997. But it wasn't just any ol' scalp Zhao snatched on his road to glory; he stunned seven-time world champ Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semis with a thrashin' 17-7 drubbing.
In the final face-off with Williams, Zhao exhibited a level the Welshman couldn't match, churnin' out frames despite Williams's valiant four-session fightback. In an honest confession, Williams himself acknowledged he simply couldn't keep pace with Zhao's stel' play.
Williams drank a humble drink on Twitter after Monday's afternoon session, spillin' the beans that he just didn't have the juice to combat the tricky conditions Zhao presented: "'Oh well, that was tough,' Williams tweeted. 'I've not got enough cue power to combat tough conditions like Zhao. His cue power is superb. Probably the best potter I've ever seen.'"
Zhao walked away with a cool £500,000 prize, rocketin' to the top 16 in the world rankings. However, some of his rivals don't argue with his winnings, as per 1997 world champ Ken Doherty's take. According to him, the rules should've dictated that Zhao's earnings as an amateur be redirected towards his ranking, but that didn't happen.
Back in 2016, Zhao slapped with a 20-match suspension for his role in a match-fixin' scandal. Though he never manipulated matches himself, he was charged with havin' a hand in another player's manipulation of two matches and even placin' bets on matches.
Though dismissed from the professional circuit, Zhao fought his way back, earnin' his spot again via the Q Tour. The WPBSA defended his prize money retention after his return to the circuit. As Jason Ferguson explained on the BBC's coverage, Zhao served his time, paid his dues, and followed the proper route to earn his return.
Rumors suggest that not everyone is happy 'bout Zhao keepin' his rankin' points earnin' as an amateur. But as of now, the rules state that once players regain their professional status, any rankin' points carry over. Let the games commence!
Snooker Storytime
Mark Williams Tahmatiar's Mind Games Before the Final?
Snooker Pros 'Hot under the Collar' as Zhao Xintong Faces Controversy
Zhao Xintong, the snooker prodigy, probably faces controversy over his earnings as an amateur, with some suggesting the rules should have redirected his winnings towards his ranking.
Mark Williams, in a humble confession on Twitter, admitted that Zhao's cue power was superior, making it challenging for him to keep pace during their final showdown.
Despite being dismissed from the professional circuit due to a match-fixing scandal in 2016, Zhao Xintong exhibited remarkable tenacity in reclaiming his spot, following the established route and facing no obstacles in retaining his rankings upon his return.
