Hong Kong played host to a dominant performance by Zhao Xintong, who secured victory at the World Grand Prix on Sunday, defeating fellow Chinese player Zhang Anda 10-6 in a compelling final. The win marks Zhao’s second tournament triumph of the current campaign and his fourth career ranking event title.
The final, held at the Kai Tak Arena, saw Zhao rediscover the form that propelled him to the World Championship title last May. He punctuated his performance with a remarkable five century breaks, showcasing a level of scoring that proved too consistent for Zhang.
The opening session of the match was a tightly contested affair, ending with the score level at 4-4. However, Zhao dramatically shifted the momentum in the evening session. He reeled off three consecutive frames, fueled by breaks of 134, 65, and 131, establishing a commanding lead and ultimately securing the championship.
“We both played very well today, our scoring was at a high level throughout the match,” Zhao said after the victory. “Perhaps later on I managed to take a few more chances. My mindset settled down nicely and my rhythm improved, which allowed me to play better and better.”
Zhao emphasized the importance of patience and seizing opportunities in finals. “I think it’s just about being patient with yourself and making the most of every single opportunity,” he explained. He also acknowledged a challenging path to the final, recalling a near-defeat in the early rounds. “In the first two rounds of the tournament, I was actually very close to being knocked out, especially being 4-1 down against Mark Selby. Fortunately, I managed to fight my way back and give myself another chance to go deep in the event and compete for the title.”
The victory is worth £180,000 to Zhao, from a total prize fund of £700,000. It also represents a significant boost to his ranking, moving him up to seventh in the world. The tournament itself, the 13th ranking event of the 2025-26 snooker season, featured the top 32 players on the one-year ranking list as of the 2025 Scottish Open.
The 2026 World Grand Prix also made history with a strong showing from Chinese players. A record nine players from mainland China reached the last 16, and a record six advanced to the quarter-finals. Remarkably, all four semi-finalists were from mainland China – a first in any ranking tournament.
While celebrating his win, Zhao remained candid about the pressures of being the reigning world champion. “I don’t feel that I’ve completely lifted the pressure of playing as world champion yet. Mentally, I still feel there is room to learn from the very top players,” he admitted. This self-awareness suggests a continued drive for improvement despite already achieving the pinnacle of the sport.
The tournament saw defending champion Neil Robertson fall in the last 32, losing 5-1 to Jak Jones. Robertson had previously defeated Stuart Bingham 10-0 in the 2025 final. Zhao Xintong’s highest break of the tournament was a stunning 145, setting a new benchmark for the event. Zhang Anda, despite the loss, demonstrated his own skill with consistent breaks exceeding 50 throughout the match.
The World Grand Prix is part of the Players Series, preceding the 2026 Players Championship and the 2026 Tour Championship. Broadcast coverage in the United Kingdom and Ireland was provided by TNT Sports and Discovery+, while Eurosport covered the event in mainland Europe. Local channels in Asia and WST Play provided coverage in other territories.
Zhao’s victory in Hong Kong signals a return to top form for the world champion and solidifies his position as a leading force in professional snooker. The all-Chinese final and the overall strong performance of Chinese players throughout the tournament underscore the growing strength and depth of snooker talent in the region.
