**Zhao Xintong’s Remarkable Comeback Collides with Snooker’s Biggest Names at the World Championship**
Zhao Xintong’s return to professional snooker has been nothing short of dramatic. After serving a 20-month ban from the sport, the talented 28-year-old Chinese player has stormed his way back to the very heart of the snooker world by reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 World Snooker Championship. This achievement has set the stage for an electrifying showdown with none other than Ronnie O’Sullivan, a player many regard as the greatest in the game’s history.
Zhao’s path to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield was arduous. Stripped of his professional status and forced to compete as an amateur, he persevered through four gruelling qualifying rounds. In these qualifiers, Zhao dispatched opponents including Ka Wai Cheung and Elliot Slessor, showcasing his resilience and determination to return to the spotlight.
Once back in the main draw, Zhao made a statement by dismantling Jak Jones, the previous year’s finalist, in a convincing 10-4 victory. He continued his exceptional form by outplaying fellow Chinese hopeful Lei Peifan in the last sixteen, before overpowering Chris Wakelin 13-5 in the quarter-finals. These performances have not only re-established his credentials but suggest that Zhao is back stronger and hungrier than ever.
Zhao’s career faced a severe setback in early 2023 when he was banned following an investigation by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) into a betting and match-fixing scandal. Although Zhao was not found to have fixed matches himself, he did admit to placing bets and being complicit with another player between 2019 and 2022. As a result, he accepted a suspension that was, notably, the shortest among the ten Chinese players caught in the scandal.
Since his return in September 2024, Zhao has been a player transformed. He swept through the secondary Q Tour, racking up four tournament wins in quick succession and even producing two maximum breaks along the way. This renewed momentum carried him straight back into the Crucible and onto the main circuit, capturing fans’ attention around the world.
It is not only the fans who have taken notice. Ronnie O’Sullivan, himself vying for an unprecedented eighth world championship, has long admired Zhao’s potential. Before Zhao’s ban, O’Sullivan compared the young Chinese player’s talents to snooker great Stephen Hendry, recalling, “The last time I was this excited about a player was when I saw Stephen Hendry play when I was about nine years old… Zhao is the only one since that made me think ‘Wow, he could be something special’.” O’Sullivan, renowned for his crisp critique and high standards, even drew parallels between Zhao and tennis legend Roger Federer, citing the fluidity and artistry present in Zhao’s game.
Further underlining his belief in Zhao’s talent, O’Sullivan recently told the media, “In three years, he’ll be No 1, world champion. He’s our Luke Littler – a cool character and an unbelievable talent. To me, he’s the nearest thing to Stephen Hendry. His scoring and positional play – he’s got everything.” Such high praise from ‘The Rocket’ only intensifies the anticipation surrounding their semi-final encounter.
For Zhao, the opportunity to compete against his idol on snooker’s grandest stage is a surreal moment. He told World Snooker Tour after his quarter-final win, “Ronnie is the greatest player ever. I watched him when I was a kid, and to play him in a semi-final is a dream. I just want to enjoy it and play my game.”
This semi-final match is shaping up to be more than just a test of skill – it’s a symbolic clash between a legend and a potential future great, stretching over 33 frames in what promises to be one of the standout contests of the tournament. O’Sullivan is pushing to further cement his legacy, but his form has fluctuated in recent events, despite smoothly navigating his way to the last four.
Adding yet more intrigue, Scottish snooker icon Stephen Hendry has also added his voice to those touting Zhao’s unique abilities, describing him on his Snooker Club podcast as a player with “stardust” and the elusive “X Factor” needed to become a sports great. “There are only a handful of players who really stand out… Zhao, when he plays like that, has got that,” Hendry remarked, reinforcing the belief that snooker’s next superstar may already be among us.
With both previous encounters between O’Sullivan and Zhao going in favour of the seasoned champion, the semi-final promises a compelling narrative: will experience prevail, or will the prodigious comeback story of Zhao Xintong continue to captivate the snooker public?
As the action unfolds at the Crucible, the world of snooker watches closely. Whether this tournament marks the crowning of a new superstar or another victorious chapter in O’Sullivan’s storied career, one thing is certain: Zhao Xintong’s remarkable journey is set to inspire and define snooker’s new era.