Hong Kong played host to a compelling display of Chinese snooker prowess this past week, culminating in World Grand Prix final. Zhao Xintong emerged victorious, defeating compatriot Zhang Anda 10-6 to claim his first ranking title since being crowned world champion last May. The tournament showcased a remarkable surge in Chinese talent, with all four semi-finalists hailing from the nation.
Zhao’s win marks his fourth ranking title adding to his previous victories at the 2021 UK Championship, the 2022 German Masters, and the 2025 World Championship. It also represents a significant turnaround in form for the reigning world champion, who had struggled for consistency in ranking events this season, failing to progress beyond the second round in nine of eleven tournaments. However, Zhao has demonstrated his continued ability to perform on the biggest stages, having also secured victory at the non-ranking Riyadh Season Championship in November and reaching the semi-finals of both the Shanghai Masters and the Champion of Champions.
The final at the 4,000-capacity Kai Tak Arena was the third all-Chinese final in a ranking event, signaling a growing dominance within the sport. Despite a closely contested first session, which ended tied at 4-4, Zhao took control in the evening session, producing a dominant performance punctuated by a remarkable five century breaks throughout the match. He secured the title with a decisive run, leaving Zhang Anda unable to respond.
“I don’t feel that I’ve completely lifted the pressure of playing as world champion yet,” Zhao admitted after the match. “Mentally I still feel there is room to learn from the very top players. This season so far, although I’ve had some good results, I feel that my overall consistency hasn’t been as strong as the very best.” This candid assessment underscores the challenges of maintaining peak performance while carrying the weight of a world championship title.
Zhang Anda, chasing his second ranking title, put up a strong fight, knocking in four breaks exceeding 50 during the first session. He briefly took the lead in the match, but Zhao’s relentless scoring power ultimately proved too much to overcome. Zhang had previously won the International Championship in 2023.
Zhao’s second session performance was particularly impressive, highlighted by breaks of 130 and 145. The latter earned him an additional £10,000 (approximately $127,000 USD or HK$106,375.50) in prize money. He continued to build momentum, ultimately securing the victory with a series of commanding breaks in the latter stages of the match, including scores of 111, 134, and 131.
The World Grand Prix victory is a significant confidence boost for Zhao as he prepares to defend his world championship title in the coming months. His ability to rediscover the form that led him to victory at the Crucible is a positive sign for his prospects in the upcoming tournament. The win also elevates him to seventh in the world rankings.
The tournament also saw strong performances from other Chinese players, with Xiao Guodong, Zhou Yuelong, and Wu Yize all reaching the later stages. This collective success underscores the growing depth of talent within Chinese snooker and suggests a continued rise in the nation’s influence on the sport.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Judd Trump, fresh off his German Masters title, lost 5-2 to Yuan Sujin. Mark Allen fell 5-4 to Ali Carter, while defending champion Neil Robertson was defeated 5-1 by Jak Jones. Mark Williams, Kyren Wilson, Shaun Murphy, and Ding Junhui also experienced early exits. Ronnie O’Sullivan reached the round of 16, defeating Joe O’Connor 5-3, before losing by the same scoreline to Xiao Guodong.
The snooker calendar now shifts focus to the Championship League, scheduled to take place this week, followed by the Players Championship next week, as players continue their preparations for the World Championship. The 2025-2026 season has already seen a number of champions crowned, including Stephen Maguire (Championship League), Kyren Wilson (Shanghai Masters & Masters), Neil Robertson (Saudi Arabia Masters), Xiao Guodong (Open Wuhan), Mark Allen (English Open), Shaun Murphy (British Open), Mark Williams (International Championship), Jack Lisowski (Northern Ireland Open), Wu Yize (International Championship), Mark Selby (Champion of Champions, UK Championship), Alfie Burden (Shoot Out), Chris Wakelin (Scottish Open), and now Zhao Xintong (World Grand Prix).
