Mark Williams v Zhao Xintong LIVE: Brilliant Zhao makes history as first Chinese world snooker champion

The long-overdue moment that a first Chinese winner of the World Snooker Championship finally arrived was supposed to be one of unalloyed joy. Yet now it’s here, there is an air of hesitancy around the celebrations – entirely because the man in question is Zhao Xintong.

Snooker is already a huge deal in China, with a market of 1.4bn people dwarfing the traditional hotbeds of this still quaintly British sport, but having their own world champion has always been touted as the occurrence that would send it stratospheric.

It is Zhao who takes that coveted mantle. The 28-year-old from Xi’an cut a swathe through qualifying and the main stage of the World Championship to triumph in spectacular style. Perhaps he was never truly tested in the championship or perhaps he simply overwhelmed his opponents with his consistency.

Either way, China finally has its first world champion. So far, so fairytale. Except Zhao immediately becomes the most complicated world champion in snooker history.

Read Luke Baker’s full report from the Crucible:

Zhao Xintong has given his thoughts to the world’s media in his winner’s press conference.

“Unbelievable, it’s still unbelievable,” he said. “I was nervous, there was big pressure, I know I can’t miss. If I miss, he will come back. It took a lot of concentration and I had to be careful.

“That moment at the end was perfect. When I shook hands with Mark, I was nearly crying.

“It’s very good for China, I’m very happy to do this for them.

“I don’t how I play so well here. It’s the Crucible but now I’m the champion.

“I believed I could come back from my ban and do well soon. but I can’t believe I’m the world champion in such a short time. I’m so proud of myself. I’m back now. I’m so happy to be back and I will keep going.”

Mark Williams is in for his press conference as he speaks with the world’s media.

Some very kind words for Zhao.

“Zhao winning it could be huge for the sport,” said Williams. “It could end up opening floodgates everywhere.

“I’ve got nothing but admiration for him - to do what he’s done. He’s been out for two years, bashed everyone up in qualifying and come here and bashed everyone up in main tournament. It’s an unbelievable achievement.

“There’s not enough good words to say about him. Everyone has got to get behind him and just watch him.

“He could dominate or at least give Trump and Kyren a go. Snooker needed someone like him to come through, like what happened with Luke Littler in darts. His style is so effortless and his cue power.”

Remarkable scenes at the Crucible after Zhao Xintong’s victory

“There’s a new superstar of the game and he’s over there”.

Lovely words from Mark Williams, who salutes his opponent Zhao Xintong.

Zhao draped in the Chinese flag handed to him by the crowd.

AND HE’S DONE IT! ZHAO XINTONG IS THE FIRST-EVER CHINESE WORLD CHAMPION.

It’s remarkable from Zhao and he gets over the line, beating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final.

He deserved this win - he’s been absolutely sublime in this final and throughout the tournament

Zhao with a golden chance to wrap this up. Nice cannon early in the break separates two reds. He clears the black spot and the lead climbs beyond 40 points.

A few more pots required to get over the line. He’s edging ever closer. The break is at 40, one more red and then he pots the black! Snooker required for Williams. This should be it now.

Zhao doesn’t look as comfortable as before here and the break ends at 23 when he misses a red to the top right corner. He hangs his head as he walks back to his chair.

Can Williams punish him? No! Scores 8 and then misses a red to the left corner with the rest. Reprieve for Zhao and another opportunity.

Is that the mistake from Williams? He goes for a long red to right corner, it bounces out and Zhao is left plum on a red to the right corner.

Chance for the Chinese cueman here, if not to win it, then to make a substantial contribution. Black slightly tied up and pink only available to one corner but it’s an oportunity.

Ok, here we go. Mid-session interval over. Can Mark Williams continue his unlikely fightback or will Zhao Xintong finally wrap it up? We’re about to find out.