LONDON:
Ronnie O’Sullivan has upgraded Zhao Xintong to become the first Chinese winner of the World Championship Snooker and with him a “Megastar” after the 28 -year -old caused an overwhelming semifinal defeat to the seven champion.
Zhao destroyed O’Sullivan, who is widely regarded as the biggest player in Snoker, 17-7 at Shefield’s Crucible Theater on Friday with a summit to be held to close his position in Sunday’s final and Monday against Judd Trump or Mark Williams.
Zhao’s achievement is even more impressive as it had to pass through four rounds only to enter the main draw as he continues his return after a 20 -month ban to join a bet scandal.
But since then he has defeated Jak Jones, Lei Peifan, Chris Waklin and O’Sullivan to join Ding Junhui as the only other China player to reach the world final.
Zhao, playing as an amateur at Shefield, defied predictions before the match, as he won all eight frames in the morning session to open a 12-4 lead over O’Sullivan before finishing his work in the evening to hit his hero.
O’Sullivan believes that the winner of the UK championship championship can now go all the way, with the English convincing that a Chinese world champion would be good for the snooker.
“I think it would be amazing,” O’Sullivan said. “I think if he wins it would be a megastar.
“He’s still very big in China as he is, but if he becomes a world champion, he would just be amazing for the snooker and his life as well.
“It can definitely surpass the line. I think it will have more test (in the final). This will be a proper test for him.
“He played great. You have to give credit where he is.
“We have a very nice relationship. I always try to help him if I can.”
Zhao based in Sheffield completed his semifinal victory with one day to get rid of and feel he would benefit from the extra rest, saying: “I had a day away and that is very good for me.” AFP
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