Zhao Xintong confirmed no nerves as he swapped his cue for a membership on the Crucible.
Zhao Xintong has dabbled in one other sport whereas on the Crucible (Picture: PA) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
Zhao Xintong demonstrated his prowess at golf after launching the defence of his World Snooker title with a hard-fought victory. The Chinese language sensation was pushed all the way in which as he made an anxious begin to the 2026 match by defeating qualifier Liam Highfield 10-7.
Highfield levelled proceedings at 5-5 initially of the second session and squandered a possibility to maneuver forward earlier than Zhao pulled clear courtesy of some daring long-potting. Following the match, Zhao was a visitor within the TNT Sports activities studio to analyse his efficiency and take a look at his golf expertise on an indoor placing inexperienced. Regardless of confessing he had solely tried golf “two or 3 times” beforehand, the 29-year-old regarded virtually as achieved on the inexperienced as he does on the inexperienced baize, sinking six out of six putts in 30 seconds.
Pundit Alan McManus joked: “He is acquired a smoother backswing in golf than he does in snooker!”
A dreadful miss on an easy black threatened to value him the 14th body, however a succession of errors from each gamers finally noticed him pot the inexperienced and blue to grab a scrappy body and edge near victory. Highfield refused to give up, taking the next two frames, however Zhao’s readiness to aim a dangerous purple proved decisive in what proved to be the ultimate body.
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