Zhao Xintong reveals reason behind shock early exit to Jordan Brown at Northern Ireland Open as world snooker champion continues to struggle
By Desmond Kane
Published 20/10/2025 at 09:00 GMT+1
World champion Zhao Xintong was whitewashed 4-0 by world No. 55 Jordan Brown in a major shock in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast as his struggles on the table continued at the city's Waterfront Hall. The world No. 12 has toiled badly for form since becoming China's first world champion in May, and has failed to go beyond the last 16 of a ranking event this season.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Zhao Xintong has revealed he has been battling health problems after producing his worst performance of the season in a 4-0 drubbing by Jordan Brown in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast.
The world champion suffered the latest setback of an underwhelming campaign so far with Antrim potter Brown easing through to the last 32 with a highest break of only 51 on Sunday.
"This is surely as poorly as he has played since becoming world champion," said David Hendon on TNT Sports commentary alongside 1986 world champion Joe Johnson.
"Zhao has been very disappointing. There's no getting away from that."
After losing 5-2 to Robert Milkins in the second round of last week's Xi'an Grand Prix, China's historic first Crucible winner, who defeated Mark Williams 18-12 as a qualifier to claim the sport's biggest prize, said he has been taking medicine for dizzy spells.
"Now it’s better. A few days ago, the body was not very good. I was not well, but I just keep trying to get better," Zhao explained to the Metro newspaper.
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"It was very tough today. I don’t know how to say in English, I’ve got some medicine, but the medicine makes me not concentrate.
"When I put my hand on the table, I’m a bit dizzy. When I have long pots, I can’t see anything. Now it’s better, but maybe in a few days later it will be alright. I tried to play well, but it was hard."
Zhao will aim for improved fortunes when he returns to China to take on Oliver Lines in his opening match at the International Championship in Nanjing, November 2-9, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Despite his trials and tribulations, with a run to the last 16 of the Saudi Arabia Masters his best return at a ranking event, he has still produced 22 centuries, only four behind Shaun Murphy as the most prolific ton maker of the campaign.
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Zhao smiles in disbelief as world champion misses final pink for 147
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I’m enjoying it. You can see recently I’ve lost a few matches, but I’m not really sad because I’m just trying to get better," said Zhao.
"Snooker is a very tough game, but I’m just trying to learn and get better. I just tried my best today. I’m not worrying about that.
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"Just maybe need a few days, or maybe one or two months, and I’ll come back.
"When I became the world champion everything is different, so I just try to enjoy that and get better. When I worked to become the world champion, I feel that I can get better. There are a lot of things I need to learn."
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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the 2025 Northern Ireland Open, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
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