Chinese snooker star Zhao Xintong has made a stunning return to the spotlight at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, knocking out last year’s finalist Jak Jones with an impressive 10-4 victory. This first-round win marks a huge moment not just for Zhao himself but also for Chinese snooker, which has seen a wave of young talent rising to the top.

Let’s take a closer look at how Zhao Xintong’s journey back into the professional world has unfolded and why this performance at the Crucible Theatre has caught the eyes of fans around the globe.

 

Who is Zhao Xintong?

Zhao Xintong is a 28-year-old snooker player from China who first made headlines in 2021 after winning the prestigious UK Championship. Known for his fast and fearless playing style, he quickly became one of the most exciting young talents in the sport.

However, Zhao faced a major setback in his career when he was suspended for 20 months due to being involved in a match-fixing scandal. While he didn’t throw any matches himself, he accepted charges of aiding another player in fixing two matches and placing bets on matches.

After serving his suspension and working his way back through the Q Tour, Zhao earned a spot back among the professionals — and now he’s making the most of it.

 

Zhao Xintong vs Jak Jones: Crucible Clash Recap

The first-round match at the Crucible Theatre saw Zhao Xintong face off against Jak Jones, the runner-up of the 2024 Championship. The match was split into two sessions, and Zhao dominated from the start.

  • Day One: Zhao raced ahead to a 7-2 lead, showing confidence and strong potting from the get-go.

  • Day Two: Jones came out fighting with a beautiful 100 break, narrowing the gap. However, Zhao stayed calm under pressure.

  • He responded with breaks of 70, 55, and an 87 after the mid-session interval to seal a 10-4 win.

This win not only knocked out a top seed but also set Zhao up for a thrilling second-round match against fellow Chinese player Lei Peifan, who had earlier defeated defending champion Kyren Wilson.

 

Zhao Xintong’s Return: From Suspension to Crucible Hero

Zhao Xintong’s journey back hasn’t been easy. After the 20-month ban, many questioned whether he’d be able to regain form. But Zhao didn’t just return he’s made a statement.

He’s playing as an amateur in this championship but with the confidence of a top-ranked pro. His success on the Q Tour, which is the stepping stone for players looking to break into or return to the professional circuit, gave him the match practice and mental sharpness he needed.

Now, he’s being talked about as a dark horse to win the championship, and rightfully so.

 

What Zhao’s Opponents Are Saying

Jak Jones, who looked out of rhythm during the match, had high praise for Zhao.

“Zhao looked really sharp, the qualifiers have done him good. I didn’t feel sharp at all. His scoring and long-potting were excellent. He’ll be hard to stop.” – Jak Jones

Even Neil Robertson, a former World Champion, has backed Zhao to go deep in the tournament.

Zhao himself was humbled by the support.

“I’m so happy he said that, and I’ll try my best.”

 

Chinese Dominance at the Crucible?

Zhao Xintong is one of 10 Chinese players competing in the main draw this year — a clear sign of China’s growing strength in snooker.

Zhao mentioned how important this is for the sport back home:

“It’s very helpful for Chinese snooker. Hopefully, we will have a Chinese world champion here in the future. We’re trying to do that.”

If Zhao keeps up this form, he might just become the first to do it.

 

What’s Next for Zhao Xintong?

Zhao Xintong now advances to face Lei Peifan in the second round. With both of last year’s finalists out, the door is wide open for a new champion to emerge — and Zhao is in prime position to make a serious run.

Here’s what’s ahead for Zhao:

  • Next Match: Zhao Xintong vs Lei Peifan

  • Prize: A place in the quarter-finals of the World Championship

  • Form: Coming in with confidence, sharp potting, and fearless breaks

 

Day-by-Day Updates: Crucible Highlights

Other major stories from Monday include:

  • John Higgins is trailing Joe O’Connor 5-4 after a thrilling session

  • Mark Allen leading Fan Zhengyi 5-4

  • Ding Junhui, Si Jiahui, and David Gilbert set to make their tournament debuts this year

With so many Chinese players performing well and seasoned pros being knocked out, this year’s championship is wide open, and Zhao Xintong is quickly becoming one of the standout names.

 

Final Thoughts

Zhao Xintong’s stunning 10-4 win over Jak Jones is more than just an early upset, it’s a statement. After a long break, Zhao is back with a bang, and fans are loving every minute of his journey.

With his strong return, natural flair, and high break-building ability, Zhao Xintong isn’t just back, he’s here to win.

Stay tuned as Zhao continues his charge at the Crucible. If his current form holds, we might just be looking at the next big name in snooker.