Stephen Hendry, a legend with seven world championships to his name, has openly marveled at the effortless talent of Zhao Xintong. He believes the young champion possesses a rare gift – the ability to make the complex game of snooker appear deceptively simple.
Zhao Xintong burst onto the scene earlier this year, claiming his first World Championship title in a stunning display of skill. He navigated a challenging bracket, overcoming the formidable Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals before defeating Mark Williams in the Crucible final.
While a period of quieter results followed his victory, Zhao is now demonstrating a resurgence of his championship form. A recent semi-final appearance at the International Championship signaled his return, quickly followed by a dramatic showing at the Champion of Champions.
At the Champion of Champions, Zhao delivered a masterclass, first dismantling Mark Allen with a commanding 4-0 victory. Allen, acknowledging the one-sided contest, wryly commented on a particularly good red ball he conceded.
Zhao then faced a grueling battle against Kyren Wilson, ultimately prevailing 6-5 in a match that went down to the final black. Despite visible exhaustion, he dug deep, showcasing the resilience of a true champion.
Hendry observed Zhao’s performance with keen interest, noting moments of fatigue but also recognizing the unwavering determination. He pointed out a telling detail – Zhao’s visible yawns couldn’t extinguish his competitive fire.
“There were a few yawns in the chair, but Zhao Xintong found something from somewhere,” Hendry commented. Zhao himself admitted to simply fighting to prevent an easy win for his opponent, a mindset Hendry identified as “world champion talk.”
Zhao revealed his strategy during the comeback against Wilson, focusing on making his opponent work for every frame. He acknowledged a degree of luck in the final stages, but emphasized his commitment to giving his all.
Hendry’s admiration for Zhao continues to grow with each performance. “Every time I see him play he impresses me more and more,” he stated, captivated by the young champion’s natural ability and unwavering spirit.
Kyren Wilson, while gracious in defeat, noted challenging conditions at the Mattioli Arena, attributing some difficulties to the Rasson tables and their leveling issues. Despite the table’s quirks, he acknowledged Zhao’s deserved victory.
Zhao’s impressive run has set the stage for a blockbuster semi-final clash against world number one Judd Trump. The two haven’t met since January 2022, when Zhao secured a victory over Trump en route to winning the German Masters.
The tournament continues with other compelling matchups, as Mark Williams, Alfie Burden, Mark Selby, and Stephen Maguire compete on Wednesday, followed by John Higgins, Xiao Guodong, Neil Robertson, and Tom Ford on Thursday, all vying for a place in the semi-finals.
