In a stunning turn of events at the World Snooker Championship, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s hopes for an eighth title were dashed as he fell to Zhao Xintong, losing 17-7 in the semi-finals. The match, which unfolded over two sessions, saw O’Sullivan struggle significantly, particularly in the second session where he was whitewashed, marking only the fourth time in his illustrious career that he suffered such a fate.
The first session, held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, ended with both players tied at 4-4, showcasing a competitive spirit but lacking the usual flair expected from O’Sullivan. However, the following morning, Zhao turned the tables dramatically. He dominated the second session, winning all eight frames and making impressive breaks of 57, 112, 82, 57, 67, 115, and 87 to establish a commanding 12-4 lead.
O’Sullivan, who had made a tactical decision to change the tip and ferrule on his cue overnight, described the previous setup as "awful." Unfortunately for the seven-time champion, this gamble backfired spectacularly. In the first four frames of the second session, he managed to score only 50 points, with a highest break of just 23. Zhao, on the other hand, capitalized on every mistake made by O’Sullivan, showcasing his skill and poise under pressure.
Despite the daunting scoreline, O’Sullivan briefly reignited hopes of a comeback by winning the first two frames in the evening session on Friday, May 2, 2025. Zhao, however, quickly reaffirmed his dominance, making breaks of 62 and 128 to extend his lead to 14-6 at the mid-session interval. O’Sullivan managed to make a 57 in the 21st frame, but it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum in his favor.
As the match progressed, Zhao continued to shine, making further breaks of 85 and 63, inching closer to victory at 16-7. O’Sullivan, looking to stave off defeat, could only muster a break of 32 before running out of position. Zhao returned to the table shortly after and sealed the match with a break of 88, marking a significant milestone in his career.
After the match, O’Sullivan graciously acknowledged Zhao’s performance, stating, "Zhao played good, he deserved his victory. He’s been brilliant all tournament. All credit to Zhao." These words reflected O’Sullivan’s respect for his opponent, who had long been his idol. Zhao, overwhelmed by the victory, expressed his disbelief, saying, "I can’t believe that. I need to say thank you to Ronnie because he helped me a lot before. I just tried to enjoy the Crucible here; it’s my first time to play single table here. It’s an amazing time for me, I’m just trying to enjoy it because I don’t know how many times I’ll be here."
The significance of this match extends beyond just the scoreline. Zhao’s victory positions him for a potential historic moment in snooker, as he will face either Judd Trump or Mark Williams in the final. The prospect of a first Chinese world champion has been a topic of discussion for years, with Ding Junhui having come close in 2016 but ultimately falling to Mark Selby.
O’Sullivan’s journey to the semi-finals had been fraught with challenges. He had withdrawn from the Masters in January and had not participated in any ranking events since due to medical reasons. His only appearance this year was in the Championship League, where he had a disappointing outing, snapping his cue after losing four of five matches. Despite these setbacks, O’Sullivan managed to reach the semi-finals at the Crucible, although he expressed dissatisfaction with his form throughout the tournament.
As the snooker world turns its gaze to the final, Zhao’s performance has raised eyebrows and expectations. Former UK Championship winner John Virgo remarked during the match, "Scintillating snooker. What a player. What a future he’s got in the game. To do this to Ronnie O’Sullivan, it’s a phenomenal performance. Changing of the guard maybe, right here, right now." This sentiment captures the essence of Zhao’s victory—a potential shift in the landscape of professional snooker.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, Judd Trump and Mark Williams were embroiled in a tightly contested match, with Trump initially leading 5-3. Williams, however, fought back to level the score at 8-8, showcasing the competitive nature of this year’s championship. Their match will resume on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as both players vie for a spot in the final alongside Zhao.
The final is set to take place over two days, on Sunday, May 4, and Monday, May 5, 2025. Zhao’s remarkable performance against O’Sullivan not only highlights his burgeoning talent but also sets the stage for what could be a historic final for Chinese snooker.
