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But let’s be clear, the atmosphere isn’t identical year after year. There was a time when this tournament solidified the standing of the best player in the world—like Steve Davis in the 80s and Stephen Hendry in the 90s. Nowadays, though, despite Judd Trump having his recent reign, he’s managed to capture this title just once due to the high competition, meaning anyone can beat anyone.
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Over the last seven years, we’ve seen six different world champions, with three of them winning for the first time. It’s unlikely that many of us anticipated spending this bank holiday weekend eagerly watching Zhao Xintong against Mark J Williams.
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So while our tournament does determine who the best player is, it really only does so during these two weeks. In theory, this might seem less significant—players come and go, not really representing our heritage like teams do. But honestly, even in individual sports, it’s more about the people and the narratives that unfold, and those stories are endless.
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I mean, saying Mark J Williams comes and goes doesn’t quite capture reality. After all, he first competed in a final way back in 1999, winning his title in 2000. Yet, there was a point back in 2018 when he contemplated retirement, frustrated by his diminishing ability. Thankfully, his wife, Jo, encouraged him to stick it out, and he remarkably claimed his third title. Now, he’s reestablished himself among the elite, showcasing a unique talent and one of the best temperaments we’ve ever seen in sports. Securing a fourth title would tie him with John Higgins and Mark Selby on the all-time list, which would be quite the achievement.
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However, standing in his way is a story of redemption that’s almost mythical. Zhao Xintong burst onto the scene in the 2021-22 season, winning the UK Championships, quickly followed by the German Masters. His long-to-mid-range potting was astonishing, matched only by his incredible composure. Then, in 2023, he faced suspension due to a match-fixing investigation and ultimately received a 20-month ban for his involvement in fixing matches and betting on them. It was a rough patch, and he was quite young to face such consequences.
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Since making his return, Zhao has been relentless, defeating formidable opponents like Ronnie O’Sullivan and now arriving at the final in fantastic form. Yet, Mark J Williams has a knack for extinguishing such momentum, so grab your remote and pull down the blinds because for the next two days, this will be the focus. You won’t want to miss it.
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Start: 1pm BST
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Important Events
preamble
Every year, we find ourselves saying this, but it definitely deserves another mention. There are very few things in life—or people, or even deities—that we can count on never to disappoint us. However, the World Snooker Championships have proven to be one of those few reliable events, reminding us once more in the last two weeks.
That said, the atmosphere varies from year to year. There was a time when this tournament firmly established who the best player in the world was, with Steve Davis in the 80s and Stephen Hendry in the 90s. Nowadays, while Judd Trump has had his share of success, he has only secured this title once. The level of competition is simply too high, allowing anyone in the field a shot at victory.
In the past seven years, we’ve seen six different world champions, three of whom won for the first time. It’s hard to imagine that any of us would have thought we’d be engrossed in the matchup of Zhao Xintong versus Mark J Williams during this bank holiday weekend.
So, while our tournament does showcase who the best players are, it really only does that for these two weeks a year. It might seem like a lesser outcome, especially since players come and go instead of representing an enduring legacy like teams do. But the reality is that even individual sports are not simply about stats; they’re about the individuals and their captivating stories.
Regardless, it’s somewhat misleading to say Mark J. Williams comes and goes, especially considering his first final appearance was back in 1999, and he claimed his title in 2000. Yet, in 2018, he almost stepped away from the sport, disheartened by his diminishing skills. His wife, Jo, convinced him to continue, and he surprising claimed his third title. He has since solidified himself as a major player, recognized for his unparalleled skill and extraordinary match temperament. Achieving a fourth title would place him alongside John Higgins and Mark Selby in terms of all-time wins—a significant honor.
But, there’s a fascinating underdog story opposing him. Zhao Xintong emerged onto the scene brightly in the 2021-22 season, claiming the UK Championships and then the German Masters shortly afterward. His ability to pot from long distances was jaw-dropping, matched only by his composure. However, in 2023, he was suspended amid a match-fixing investigation, resulting in a 20-month ban for his role in the scandal. It’s a tough situation, particularly given his youth.
Since returning to the sport, Zhao has been relentless, taking down formidable opponents, including Ronnie O’Sullivan, and now enters the final in remarkable form. However, Mark J Williams has a talent for quelling such momentum, so make sure to tune in and close off the outside world for the next two days. You won’t regret it.
Starting: 1pm BST
