In a stunning upset at the Crucible Theatre, Zhao Xintong dismantled seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan with a dominant 17-7 victory, securing a spot in the World Snooker Championship final. The 28-year-old Chinese player, who entered the tournament as an amateur after a 20-month betting scandal ban, has now positioned himself just one step away from snooker history.
Zhao’s blistering performance included a flawless morning session where he won all eight frames to build a commanding 12-4 lead over the legendary O’Sullivan. He then returned in the evening to finish the job with a session to spare, stunning fans and pundits alike with his composed and clinical display.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan was full of praise for his opponent, calling Zhao a potential “megastar” and asserting that a Chinese world champion would be “amazing for snooker.” O’Sullivan, widely regarded as the greatest player in the sport’s history, acknowledged Zhao’s talent and expressed his hope for the young star’s success.
Zhao now faces either Judd Trump or Mark Williams in the final. With one day of rest ahead of the title match, he says he feels fresh and confident. “I’ve had one day off and that’s very good for me,” said Zhao, who is now on the brink of becoming China’s first-ever world snooker champion.
