Snooker rankings revealed after World Grand Prix as former champion and Triple Crown winner slips

Zhao Xintong has risen to world No. 7 in the snooker rankings following his victory at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong. The Chinese star secured £180,000 after defeating compatriot Zhang Anda 10–6 in the final.

A Championship Performance

This win has propelled the reigning World Snooker Champion one position higher in the official two-year standings. At 28 years old, Zhao Xintong is now only one place shy of achieving his career-high ranking. His performance throughout the week was marked by an impressive five century breaks.

Shifting Rankings

Zhao Xintong’s ascent comes at the expense of Shaun Murphy, a former world champion and Triple Crown winner, who has dropped to eighth in the rankings. Despite an early exit, Judd Trump remains at the top of the world rankings, maintaining a comfortable lead over Kyren Wilson in second place.

Did You Know? Only the world’s top 16 players qualify automatically for the World Snooker Championship.

Neil Robertson holds steady at third, while veteran Mark Williams remains in fourth. Mark Selby has climbed to fifth, swapping positions with John Higgins, who now sits at sixth following his quarter-final exit. Xiao Guodong has also made significant progress, jumping into the top ten at ninth place after reaching the semi-finals, while Mark Allen has moved down to tenth.

Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan currently sits outside the top ten, at eleventh.

Crucible Implications

The reshuffle in rankings comes at a critical time, with only a handful of ranking events remaining before the seedings for the Crucible are finalized. Every result from here on out could be decisive in the race to avoid the qualifying rounds in Sheffield.

Expert Insight: The upcoming ranking events are crucial for players aiming to secure a favorable seeding at the World Snooker Championship, potentially impacting their chances of a deep run in the tournament.

Looking Ahead

The next ranking event for the 2025/26 snooker season is the Players Championship, scheduled to take place from February 17th to 22nd in Telford, England. Prior to that, the World Snooker Tour will continue with the Championship League Snooker Winners’ Group on February 10th and 11th. The World Open qualifiers are also scheduled this week, running from February 10th to 12th in Barnsley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2026 World Grand Prix?

Zhao Xintong defeated Zhang Anda 10–6 in the final of the 2026 World Grand Prix.

What is Zhao Xintong’s current world ranking?

Zhao Xintong is currently ranked world No. 7.

Which player dropped in the rankings following the World Grand Prix?

Shaun Murphy dropped from seventh to eighth in the rankings.

As players compete in the remaining ranking events, how do you think the top 16 will ultimately shake out before the World Snooker Championship?