John Higgins Makes Bold Prediction After Zhao Xintong's Historic Victory
Snooker legend John Higgins has labeled Zhao Xintong an "absolute genius" and tipped him as the favorite to win the World Snooker Championship following the Chinese superstar's historic triumph at the Players Championship. The reigning world champion defeated Higgins 10-7 in a thrilling final in Telford, showcasing his exceptional talent with breaks of 104, 126, and 92 in the closing frames.
A Historic Achievement in Snooker
At just 28 years old, Zhao Xintong has become the fourth player in history to win his first five ranking finals, joining an elite group that includes Steve Davis, Mark Williams, and Neil Robertson. His victory at the Players Championship marks another milestone, as he is now the first player to win both the World Grand Prix and the Players Championship since the Players Series was established in the 2018/19 season.
This remarkable achievement sets the stage for Zhao to potentially complete a historic hat-trick at the upcoming Tour Championship in Manchester next month. Higgins, who was left in awe by Zhao's performance, believes the Chinese star is poised to break the infamous Crucible Curse by defending his first world title in Sheffield this year.
High Praise from Snooker Legends
In a post-match interview on Channel 5, Higgins expressed his admiration for Zhao's skill, comparing him to football legends like George Best and Jimmy Johnstone. "I'm lucky to have my kids here," Higgins said. "My kids are lucky to see someone like Xintong. He is an absolute genius, a genius."
Higgins elaborated on the pressure Zhao's precision placed on him during the match, noting, "I couldn't pot a long ball all day and Zhao doesn't really miss any long balls. The last three frames there it was absolutely poetry in motion. I think he'll be the man to beat at the World Championship this year, I really do."
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry also weighed in, praising Zhao for taking the game to new heights. "I think he's operating at a higher level than anyone else in the game at the moment," Hendry stated. "He seems to have shrugged the expectation of being world champion and the pressure of that. And now just playing with a freedom and a confidence. Best player in the world at the moment, no doubt about it."
Zhao Xintong's Path to Victory
Despite facing challenges throughout the tournament, Zhao demonstrated resilience and skill to secure his title. His journey included hard-fought victories:
- Final: 10-7 win over John Higgins
- Semi-final: 6-5 win against Mark Allen
- Quarter-final: 6-3 victory over Shaun Murphy
- Last 16: 6-5 triumph against Elliot Slessor
Reflecting on his performance, Zhao admitted, "This week I played not really good, but tonight I think the last three frames I played really nice frames. I'm really happy." He also expressed respect for snooker veterans like Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan, and Mark Williams, acknowledging their enduring talent.
Future Prospects and Legacy
Former Masters champion Alan McManus believes Zhao is on track to become one of the all-time greats in snooker. "That's what generational talents do in winning big tournaments," McManus said. "He's put away a legend and put him away in style. He is something incredibly special. We're talking about six, seven or eight players in the history of our sport are that special. He's definitely the next one."
As the new world number five and China's first world champion, Zhao has already etched his name in snooker history. The question now is how much more he can achieve this season, particularly with the World Championship on the horizon. Zhao remains focused on enjoying the game, stating, "I don't want to think a lot. I just want to enjoy snooker."
With the support of legends like Higgins and Hendry, and his own undeniable talent, Zhao Xintong is poised to make even more history in the world of snooker.
