April 21st 2025.
Zhao Xintong is on fire at the moment in Sheffield. According to Jak Jones, no one is playing better than him right now. In fact, Jones wouldn't be surprised if the talented snooker player takes home the World Championship trophy this year.
After being banned for two years due to his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, the 28-year-old is back at the Crucible for the first time since 2022. But his return has been nothing short of impressive. He breezed through four qualification games and faced Jones in the opening round.
Although Jones, last year's runner-up, didn't play poorly, he was no match for Zhao. The Chinese player dominated the match with a high break of 142 and ultimately won 10-4. Among the top players at the Crucible this year, Jones believes that no one is playing better snooker than Zhao. He sees him as a real threat to take home the championship on May 5th.
Jones praises Zhao's long potting and scoring abilities, as well as his strong tactical game. While there are players with more wins under their belt, Jones believes that Zhao is the best player in the tournament.
In his match against Jones, Zhao made very few mistakes when among the balls. Jones commented, "I thought Xintong played really well, looked really sharp. Obviously had two years off but the qualifiers have done him good." Jones himself didn't feel as sharp on the table, having only played two best-of-seven games in the last ten weeks.
The Welshman also expressed some frustration at facing a qualifier who had previously been ranked number nine in the world before his ban. However, he knows he must move on and prepare for next season.
Zhao, on the other hand, was extremely pleased with his performance. This was only his second ever victory at the Crucible, having previously beaten Jamie Clarke in 2022. "Today and yesterday I really played well, just like practice, I made very big breaks. I'm very happy," he said.
After waiting three years to return to the Crucible, Zhao is determined to enjoy the experience. He is especially looking forward to his next match against fellow Chinese player Lei Peifan, who pulled off a stunning upset against defending champion Kyren Wilson in the first round.
Zhao describes Lei as a "really nice young boy" and acknowledges his impressive skills on the table. He believes it will be a great match and is excited for the challenge.
Although Zhao has had some successful matches at the Crucible in the past, he admits that he has not yet achieved his ultimate goal. He sees Lei as a strong contender for the title and recognizes the overall level of talent among Chinese players in the tournament.
The match between Zhao and Lei will take place over three sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Both players are determined to give it their all and see what they can accomplish at the renowned Crucible.
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