Williams Lauds Zhao’s Talent and Resilience

Veteran snooker player Mark Williams, a Crucible finalist, has lauded Zhao Xintong, emphasizing that Zhao embodies the type of player that elevates the sport.

Following his defeat to Zhao, Williams, age 50, shared his high regard for the young competitor’s remarkable abilities.

Williams remarked, “I hold him in the highest esteem.”

He further commented on Zhao’s return to form after a suspension, stating, “His comeback after two years—overcoming a suspension related to a match-fixing investigation, and then dominating nearly every match from the qualifiers onward—is truly an astonishing accomplishment.”

Williams conveyed his admiration for Zhao’s rapid pace and skillful shots. “His play is rapid, dynamic, and he’s willing to take on challenging shots. He has the ability to pot from anywhere on the table.”

Williams observed, “He plays with a relaxed demeanor, effortlessly potting from any position. He moves around without any apparent concern. Moments later, he’s already at 65. It’s astonishing how quickly he reaches sixty. It’s quite intimidating.”

“He commits to his shots, and in the final, he executed most of them successfully, even the incredibly difficult ones. While these shots don’t always land, and when they don’t, it might appear slightly unpredictable. However, when they do, you certainly don’t want to be competing against him,” Williams stated.

Zhao, who had previously defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-final, commenced his quest to become world champion 29 days prior, navigating through four qualifying rounds.

Beyond the £500,000 prize, Zhao is projected to ascend to 11th place in the global rankings.

His promising trajectory faced a hurdle in 2023 when he was among ten Chinese players penalized following a probe into match manipulation.

Nevertheless, Zhao is poised to rejoin the professional tour next season, and Williams believes that the 26-year-old’s potential is limitless.

Williams added, “Some of the pots he achieves are simply unbelievable,” thereby recognizing Zhao’s exceptional aptitude.