China Open: Zhang Anda beats Zhao Xintong in thrilling final-ball respot

Zhang Anda shocked world number three Zhao Xintong with a thrilling 6-5 victory by potting a respotted black ball in round one of the China Open.

Zhang, who was down 3-0 in frames, fought back to eventually lead 5-4.

However, last year’s world champion Zhao forced a deciding frame that ended in dramatic fashion.

“Today was just my day,” Zhang said. “I hope that I can go far [in this tournament], I don’t want them [two pots of the black] again. I was too nervous.”

Zhang, ranked 19th in the world, was in control at 57-0 up, but Zhao fought back to lead with both players on the black.

The black was eventually potted by Zhang to force a respot – used as a tie-breaker when a frame ends with the scores level – with the 34-year-old prevailing.

He will now face England’s Chris Wakelin.

“I made far too many mistakes today and I probably didn’t deserve to win,” Zhao added.

“I had prepared well for coming to Shanxi this time, and I didn’t expect to lose in the first round. I played too badly and there was nothing I could do about it.”

World number five John Higgins also lost in the first round after he was defeated 6-4 by 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham.