Zhao Xintong is one match away from the Crucible’s hallowed single table setup, having beaten Chinese compatriot Lei Peifan 13-10 to make the quarter-finals of the Halo World Championship.
Former UK Champion Zhao is competing as an amateur this year. He returned from suspension earlier in the campaign, after a 20 month ban for breaching betting regulations. Zhao’s comeback started on the amateur Q Tour circuit. By winning four of the seven events, he earned a pro tour card for next season.
The supremely talented 28-year-old practised relentlessly during his time off the tour and displayed his dazzling best by crafting 12 centuries at qualifying, where he won four matches to reach the Crucible.
Zhao is already only the second amateur to win a match in the final stages. He is the first to ever make the quarter-finals of the World Championship. He follows on from James Cahill, who beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2020.
Debutant Lei exits the event having inflicted the Crucible Curse on Kyren Wilson, he ousted the defending champion 10-9 in the opening round. This season has seen him capture maiden ranking silverware with victory at the Scottish Open in December.
Zhao came into this morning holding a commanding 10-6 lead. He embarked on a 147 attempt in the first frame, but broke down on 72, to move 11-6 up. From there it was Lei who fired to burst back into contention.
Breaks of 130, 94 and 65 saw him take four of the next five frames and trail 12-10. However, it was Zhao who took the 23rd with a break of 54 to get over the line and seal a last eight meeting with Chris Wakelin.
Zhao said: “The most intriguing part of the Crucible, is it doesn’t just test your overall game level, but also your mental toughness. I think this match was also a self-challenge for me. If you want to win the World Championship, you have to go through challenges like this. I hope I can stay here longer.
“Although it’s my first time in the quarter-finals, I hope to go even further. I believe I have the ability. Over the next few days, I will continue adjusting my form and sharpen my touch during practice. Because the opponents ahead are all very strong, I must maintain an even calmer mindset.
‘I know Chris Wakelin is playing very well. He’s very strong this year, but I think as long as I can play to my own level, I have a chance against anyone. This quarter final match will be a challenge for both of us. I hope I can play my best and fully enjoy the match, maybe the outcome will exceed my expectations.
“I hope more Chinese fans and even the general public can discover the beauty of snooker. If more people start playing snooker and enjoying the sport, that would make us as players very happy. I believe that in the future, snooker will definitely become an even more popular sport in China.”
Snooker is of course very popular in China, but not as popular as it used to be if what I read on various sources is true. Snooker allegedly has “lost ground” to “Joy – Heyball”. Several UK pros have tried that sport as well. It’s probably more enjoyable for beginners: “frames” are shorter and the tables are smaller although the pockets have the same cut as the “snooker pockets” and the ball are bigger… The key factor though is that because the tables are smaller, clubs with limited space can fit more of them than snooker tables in their “venue”. Commercially it’s almost certainly more profitable.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 