In the opening round of the World Snooker Championship Finals, qualifier Zhao Xintong took a commanding 11-6 lead over Mark Williams, marking a significant moment in his career against a three-time champion.
At 28, Zhao followed up his strong performance against Ronnie O’Sullivan, pulling ahead with a 7-1 advantage. His aim? To become the first player from China to claim the world title.
On the other hand, Williams, who is trying to become the oldest champion at 50, ended the first day on a positive note. He displayed remarkable grit, taking the evening session 5-4 after a tense battle for the final red.
That said, the odds are stacked against Williams—no one has managed to overcome a five-frame deficit overnight in this tournament.
For Zhao, still considered an amateur due to a 20-month ban related to a betting scandal, this is an opportunity to chase the legacy of players like Terry Griffiths and Sean Murphy.
He needs just seven more frames to win, while Williams must pull off an impressive comeback to secure an additional 12.
Zhao started strong, taking control in the first frame and sealing it after a 51-point run. He quickly built a 3-0 lead, executing excellent shots to pot the brown, blue, and pink balls.
Williams finally gained some footing just before the session break, concluding a dirty frame, but Zhao maintained his momentum with a solid break of 57.
Though Williams seemed to find his rhythm with a 61-point score—far exceeding his earlier attempts—he struggled with a crucial shot that Zhao capitalized on.
Taking encouragement from his lead, Zhao improved further as the session wore on, crafting an impressive break of 104 along the way.
Meanwhile, Williams appeared rejuvenated, securing the first two frames of the evening session. He managed an 86 break, significantly better than before, none more impressive than his escape from a snooker with precision.
After Zhao restored his four-frame lead with a 71 break, he continued to build pressure, reaching two frames in a row as he inched towards the 18 needed to clinch victory.
Williams managed to claim his fifth frame after a lengthy tussle, almost taking the next one, but a slight error allowed Zhao back to the table.
Zhao aimed for another century but settled for a 96-point score, moving closer to the win.
As Williams came close to a breakthrough, Zhao rose to the challenge, clearing the table for a 71-point finish.
Despite being behind, Williams fiercely fought his way through the final frame, ultimately pocketing the last red and setting up for an exciting final day in Sheffield.
