Zhao Xintong hit top form to beat Zhang Anda 10-6 in the 2026 World Grand Prix final in Hong Kong on Sunday.
The 28 year-old captured a first ranking title since landing his maiden world crown last May courtesy of a delightful display at the Kai Tak Arena in front of a big crowd.
It was Zhao’s fourth career ranking event final, and victory extends his 100% winning record having previously also won the UK Championship and the German Masters.
The triumph, from which he collects the £180,000 champion’s cheque, is also his second of the 2025/26 campaign – adding to his glory at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship invitational in November.
The first session of the title-deciding affair produced high-quality snooker from both competitors, and there was never more than a frame in it throughout a quick afternoon’s play.
After the opening two frames were shared, Zhao kick started a higher level of scoring with a break of 75 only for his opponent to respond with tidy runs of 91 and 84.
It got even better from the world champion as he fired in a terrific 130 to make it 3-3 and then added a tournament-high total clearance of 145 to go back in front.
Zhang managed to ensured that everything ended even heading into the evening session when he added a second run of 84 to make it 4-4.
Not much changed when the players returned, but Zhao was able to establish a two-frame cushion for the first time with tallies of 85 and 75.
Zhang quickly halved the gap but went into the last mid-session interval 7-5 adrift after another classy century break from Zhao.
Former International Championship winner Zhang stubbornly kept in touch, missing out on a maximum attempt but taking the 13th frame with a run of 73.
But Zhao again demonstrated his remarkable break-building skills in the following frame, brilliantly constructing a 134 for his fourth ton of the match.
His ensuing break of 65 helped to take him to the brink at 9-6, and he wrapped up the victory in fitting fashion with yet another trademark hundred-plus score.
It was a good week for Zhang, who like Zhao safeguarded his spot in the upcoming Players Championship in Telford through the one-year rankings.
But there wasn’t really much that he could do as the favourite, who had already beaten John Higgins and Mark Selby this week, shifted through the gears with the winning line in sight.
Zhao moves up to number seven on the official world rankings list, just one place shy of his highest ranking of number six that he achieved before being banned for his involvement in the Chinese match-fixing scandal.
There were many who thought that sordid affair would prove to be damaging to Chinese snooker, but if anything, it has gone from strength to strength ever since.
All four semi-finalists at the World Grand Prix hailed from the country, another indication in a period full of them that the Chinese wave is threatening to take over the sport.
Zhang and several others have played their part in that, but Zhao is undoubtedly the ultimate flagbearer at the moment.
When he plays like he did in this showdown, there are few who can live with him.
Featured photo credit: WST
This is up incredibly quick! You’d definitely had plenty of it written before he missed on 131!
The joys of a final in my kind of time zone.
I thought that’s why! I knew it wasn’t because you had a bosses deadline to meet as you’re the guvnor!
It definitely represents a benchmark performance for Zhao. Very few have compiled five centuries in a best of 19 final. His scoring throughout the contest was savage.
I saw a comment on Snooker.org about it being unplayable. This is a slight exaggeration as Zhang was only 7-6 behind at one stage.
A completely unplayable display also means largely shutting put your opponent and taking chances the first opportunity you have.
If Zhao develops a B game, his rate of winning titles is going to rise. He’s the best front runner in the game currently.
Shutting out, not put!
World Champion and World Grand Prix Champion… I wonder what odds he will have at the World Open?