Zhao Xintong Beats John Higgins | Players Championship 2024

Zhao Xintong has claimed victory at the Players Championship in Telford, defeating John Higgins 10-7 in a closely contested match. The Chinese world champion secured his second ranking title of the season with a commanding finish, taking four consecutive frames to close out the win.

A Commanding Performance

The match saw several shifts in momentum, particularly during the first session. Higgins initially took a 2-0 lead, but Zhao quickly responded to level the score. The pair continued to trade frames throughout the day, with Higgins briefly leading 4-3 and later tying the match at various points.

A Historic Win for Zhao

This victory marks Zhao Xintong’s second ranking title this month, following his triumph at the World Grand Prix. He has now become only the fourth player in snooker history to win all of his first five ranking finals. The others to achieve this feat are Steve Davis, Mark Williams, and Neil Robertson.

Did You Know? Zhao Xintong is 28 years old and secured his victory with a score of 10-7 against John Higgins.

The final frames proved decisive, with Zhao taking control at 7-6 down and demonstrating a high level of skill, including successive centuries, to secure the championship.

Higgins’ Near Miss

The match also held significance for John Higgins, who, at age 50, was attempting to become the oldest winner of a ranking event. Despite his strong performance, he was ultimately unable to overcome Zhao’s late surge. Following the match, Higgins praised Zhao’s talent, stating, “I’m sure my kids are lucky that they’ve watched somebody like Xintong because he is an absolute genius.” He further described Zhao’s play in the final frames as “absolutely poetry in motion” and predicted he “will be the man to beat at the World Championship this year.”

Expert Insight: Zhao Xintong’s consistent success in recent ranking events signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape of professional snooker, establishing him as a formidable force and a strong contender for future championships.

The match concluded with Zhao seeing out the victory with relative ease after establishing a lead in the evening session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the Players Championship?

The final score was Zhao Xintong 10, John Higgins 7.

How many ranking titles has Zhao Xintong won?

Zhao Xintong has now won five ranking titles.

What did John Higgins say about Zhao Xintong’s performance?

John Higgins described Zhao Xintong as an “absolute genius” and said his play in the final frames was “absolutely poetry in motion.”

With Zhao Xintong’s recent successes, what impact do you foresee on the upcoming World Championship?