Sports
Snooker star lauded by Ronnie O’Sullivan wins on World Championship return after match-fixing ban
Zhao Xintong has made a triumphant return to the World Snooker Championship, defeating last year’s finalist Jak Jones 10-4 in the first round.
The 28-year-old player was making his comeback to the Crucible after serving a 20-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal.
Xintong was one of 10 Chinese players caught up in the controversy.
He had accepted being party to another player fixing two snooker contests in March 2022.
Zhao Xintong has made a triumphant return to the World Snooker Championship, defeating last year’s finalist Jak Jones 10-4 in the first round
PA
Along with the suspension, he was ordered to pay £7,500 in costs.
Xintong returned to competitive snooker via the Q Tour after his ban expired in September last year.
The Chinese player showed he had lost none of his skill with the cue in his return to the World Championship.
He enjoyed a stroke of good fortune in the opening frame when a shot on the blue unexpectedly cannoned into the middle pocket.
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Peifan caused the tournament’s biggest upset by knocking out reigning world champion Kyren Wilson.
Wilson had established a comfortable 6-2 lead in their match before Peifan mounted a remarkable comeback.
The debutant claimed eight of the final eleven frames to secure a dramatic 10-9 victory.
Wilson appeared visibly shaken during the latter stages of the contest as his advantage slipped away.
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The result has blown open the draw, with both Chinese players now eyeing a deep run in the championship.
Xintong’s return to form will come as no surprise to seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who has previously lavished praise on the young star.
“The last time I was this excited about a player was when I saw Stephen Hendry play when I was only about nine years old,” O’Sullivan once said.
“Zhao is the only one who made me think ‘Wow, he could be something special’.”
Zhao Xintong was too strong for Jake Jones at the World Snooker Championship
PA
The Rocket even compared Xintong to tennis legend Roger Federer.
“He could be the greatest of all time with his talent, his ability,” O’Sullivan added.
“I always say he’s Roger Federer with a snooker cue in his hands. He’s like me, he’s a quick learner.”