China’s Zhao dominates Williams 7-1 in first session of World Snooker final

Zhao Xintong made a blistering start in his bid to become the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship, dominating Sunday’s opening session to lead veteran Mark Williams 7-1. 

At the age of 50, three-time world champion Williams is attempting to make history of his own by becoming the oldest winner of snooker’s most important title, surpassing Ronnie O’Sullivan, who was 46 years and 148 days old when he won his modern-day record seventh global crown in 2022.

Williams, who fought back from 7-3 down to beat Judd Trump in his semi-final, still has time to recover. The final at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in northern England is a best-of-35 frames contest.

The Welshman has defied conventional wisdom by reaching the final as a 50-year-old with eyesight problems, but to enjoy a fourth global triumph, he will likely need his opponent to suffer a dramatic collapse.

On his way to his first appearance in the final, Zhao, playing as an amateur as he continues his comeback after a 20-month ban for involvement in a betting scandal, came through four rounds of qualifying. 

He produced a stunning display to thrash O’Sullivan 17-7 with a session to spare in his semi-final.

On Sunday he was in commanding form from the start taking each of the first three frames on Sunday, including two century breaks. 

Williams reduced fellow left-hander Zhao’s lead to 3-1 just prior to the mid-session interval.

During the break in play, World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson was in no doubt about what it would mean for the sport were the 28-year-old Zhao to win the final.

“I think he has the potential to become the biggest star in the sport,” Ferguson told the BBC. “Certainly the earning opportunities for someone like him are immense. It’s a huge nation.”

When play resumed, Zhao, only the second player from China to reach the world final after Ding Junhui, restored his three-frame advantage with a break of 57.

Williams found some semblance of form with a break of 61, more than double his previous best Sunday, only to misjudge a cannon off a black with the frame at his mercy. He was then unable to make a fine cut on the red and Zhao cleaned up.

Zhao finished the session in style, extending his lead with a break of 104 before a superb plant on a long red led to a contribution of 83 that put him six frames ahead.