China’s Chang Bingyu defeated compatriot and 2025 World Champion Zhao Xintong 10-7 to win the Wuhan Open and claim ranking event glory for the first time.
There were emotional scenes after Chang got himself over the line with a remarkable clearance. Chang got a required snooker in the decisive frame, with several of the balls still close to cushions. He then cleared with 34 from the final red, in a sequence of shots which involved a double on the blue. Prior to attempting the final ball he went back to his chair to steel himself, before stepping up and depositing the black.
Victory sees Chang become the tenth ranking event winner from mainland China. He exorcises the demons of his first ranking final appearance last season, when he was soundly beaten 9-2 by Chris Wakelin at the 2025 Scottish Open.
24-year-old Chang showcased his vast potential across the whole of the 25/26 campaign. Alongside his run to the Edinburgh title match, he also pocketed a bumper £147,000 bonus by virtue of making 147s in UK Championship and World Championship qualifying.
The result moves Chang up 23 places in the Johnstone’s Paint World Rankings from 45th to 22nd. Zhao was already guaranteed to become world number one for the first time before a ball was struck today and moves to top spot from third position.
Defeat for Zhao ends his perfect record in ranking event finals, having won each of his previous six. He falls one short of Steve Davis’ record of consecutive victories in his first seven ranking title matches.
Chang came into the evening holding a narrow 5-4 advantage and he added to it immediately with breaks of 64 and 57 to move 7-4 ahead. Zhao halted Chang’s momentum by taking the 12th on the black and then made a break of 60 to draw within one at 7-6.
A pulsating 14th frame saw Zhao miss a straightforward brown and leave it over a baulk pocket at Chang’s mercy. In a bid to find position on the blue Chang went cushion-first and missed the ball altogether. Zhao made no such mistake and drew level at 7-7.
Chang then made 73 to hit the front again and claimed a tight 16th to move one from victory at 9-7. The following frame provided high drama, with Chang eventually getting over the line with his incredible 34 clearance. As he returned to his chair, he found himself in tears following a momentous triumph.
“I’d been very tense throughout the match, so I wanted to let myself go a little bit. In the last frame I just thought I had to go for the double on the blue. Fortunately it went in, and I was able to clear up,” said an elated Chang.
“Last year I was really disappointed to lose the final in Scotland. After losing that final, I wanted the title so badly. From then on, I kept telling myself every day that if I reached another final, I had to take the opportunity.
“Before the match, I honestly didn’t think I could beat him. He is the new world number one after all, so I just wanted to learn from him. I’ve watched a lot of his matches over the past few years and learned a great deal from him. So I went into the final with the same attitude of learning.
“I’m really grateful to my parents. They’ve really sacrificed a lot for me. When I was very young, my dad sold our house and quit his job so that he could accompany me to practise in Guangdong. He also accompanied me when I went to England. Over the last couple of years my mum has been with me every day, looking after my day-to-day life. I’m really thankful to them.”
Zhao said: “Although I’m a little disappointed with the result today, I think for me personally it’s just one match. I can’t be in finals forever or win every time. Of course, I didn’t play particularly well today, so I think it was quite normal that Chang was able to win the match. His game, and that of many of the younger Chinese players, has already reached a very high level.“
I like both of them as players, I like their positive attitude, I like that they go for their shots1. I’m very happy for Chang. I know that many “fans” of a player tend to “hate” that player opponents when they beat their favourite. I’m not at all like that. When a player beats Ronnie, I want them to win the tournament because I’m much happier with the thought that Ronnie went out at the hands of the eventual champion than I am with the thought of him being beaten by someone who lost and exited the tournament the next day…
