Zhao Xintong Dominates Opening Session of World Snooker Championship Final
Published on: May 5, 2025
Zhao Xintong’s Commanding Start: A New Era in Snooker
There are moments in sport that feel like the passing of a torch, and the opening session of the 2025 World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible Theatre was nothing short of a statement. Zhao Xintong, the 27-year-old sensation from China, delivered a performance so ruthless and composed that even the most seasoned snooker aficionados were left in awe. His 7–1 lead over Mark Williams, a three-time world champion with a career spanning decades, is more than an impressive scoreline—it’s a sign that the snooker landscape is shifting before our very eyes.
From the very first frame, Zhao played with an intensity and self-assurance rarely seen in players with so little experience on the sport’s grandest stage. His cue action was as smooth as silk, his shot selection bold yet calculated, and his temperament utterly unflappable. In a session where nerves could have easily crept in—especially against an opponent as wily as Williams—Zhao instead looked like the man with all the answers. And the numbers don’t lie: multiple century breaks, including a sparkling 134 and a clinical 112, set him apart from his veteran rival. Each time Williams looked to assert himself, Zhao responded with a devastating combination of safety play and attacking flair.
The Age Gap: Experience Meets Ambition
Much has been made of the 22-year age gap between the two finalists. Mark Williams, at 49, has been there and done it all. His tactical nous and resilience are legendary, and he’s no stranger to mounting comebacks—indeed, his career is littered with improbable turnarounds. But on this occasion, Williams found himself simply outgunned. The Welshman’s safety play was met with pinpoint long pots from Zhao, and his attempts to build breaks were often derailed by Zhao’s relentless pressure. Every missed opportunity by Williams was ruthlessly punished, a hallmark of champions in the making.
For Zhao, this match is more than just a final—it’s a chance to etch his name in the history books as the first Chinese world snooker champion. The significance of this cannot be overstated. Chinese snooker has been on the rise for years, producing a steady stream of talented players, but none have yet managed to seize the sport’s ultimate prize. Zhao’s performance in this opening session suggests he has both the talent and the temperament to do just that.
Century Breaks and Tactical Masterclass
Snooker purists will have been delighted by the sheer quality of Zhao’s play. His century breaks were not just high-scoring affairs—they were exhibitions of clinical break-building, immaculate positional play, and ice-cold finishing. There was an air of inevitability every time Zhao got in among the balls, and his shot timing was impeccable. But it wasn’t just the big breaks that set him apart. Zhao’s tactical play was equally impressive, frequently leaving Williams snookered or with only the most difficult of escapes. The Chinese star’s ability to switch seamlessly between attack and defence is a testament to his all-round game, and it’s what makes him such a formidable opponent.
Williams, for his part, never looked entirely comfortable. His safety exchanges lacked their usual bite, and his long potting—so often a weapon in his arsenal—deserted him at key moments. It’s a testament to Zhao’s relentless pressure that a player as experienced as Williams was made to look so ordinary. The crowd, sensing the magnitude of what they were witnessing, responded with a mixture of astonishment and admiration for the young pretender.
The Bigger Picture: A Sport in Transition
The 2025 final is more than just a contest between two players; it is a microcosm of snooker’s broader transformation. With the likes of Zhao Xintong and other young talents emerging from China, the sport’s traditional power base is shifting. No longer is the Crucible the exclusive domain of British and Irish players. The globalisation of snooker is well and truly underway, and Zhao’s rise is both a cause and a consequence of this trend.
The commercial implications are significant. With millions of viewers tuning in from China, Zhao’s success has the potential to inspire a new generation of players and fans. The sport’s governing bodies have long sought to tap into the vast Chinese market, and a world champion from China would be a game-changer in every sense. For now, though, the focus remains on the table, where Zhao has put himself in pole position to make history.
As the final progresses, all eyes will be on whether Williams can summon one more comeback, or if Zhao will complete what many are already calling a coronation. What is certain is that the 2025 World Snooker Championship final has already delivered a session to remember—and the world is watching as a new star ascends.
