World Championship 2025: Jimmy White backs Zhao Xintong for ‘multiple’ Crucible titles after winning ‘in third to fourth gear’ over Mark Williams

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Zhao Xintong’s 2025 World Championship win could usher in a new era, according to TNT Sports expert Jimmy White. Zhao beat Mark Williams 18-12 in the final to become the first Chinese world champion and White, himself a six-time Crucible runner-up, thinks the 28-year-old could go on to become a great of the game. "He’s got that natural gift and he’s played fantastic," White said.

'Seen something very special' - Zhao clinches title with thrilling win over Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jimmy White believes the floodgates might have opened for Zhao Xintong after the Chinese snooker star claimed his maiden World Championship.

He was made to work for it by a resolute Mark Williams, but Zhao eventually got the chance he needed and took it with trademark composure to stave off Williams' fightback and wrap up an historic 18-12 victory.

Not only is he now the first Chinese player to lift snooker’s top prize, but he is also just the third person to come through qualifying and reign supreme on the sport’s grandest stage.

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And he did it all without hitting top form, according to six-time world finalist and TNT Sports expert White.

"What a player," White said. "It’s just about playing snooker [for him]. He’s got that natural gift and he’s played fantastic.

"When he beat Jak Jones I said if the draw pans out and he stays with O’Sullivan in the first session, I think he can go on and win it.

"No-one’s got near him. One qualifier was 10-8 and his friend [Lei Peifan] was 13-10 in the second round. Apart from that, he’s set the tournament alight.

"This kid can win multiple World Championships. We’ve all known about him and he’s just proved it.

"At ease, he’s won this World Championship in probably third to fourth gear."

'It is very, very big pressure' - Zhao thrilled to be crowned world champion

Video credit: TNT Sports

His route to glory was anything but easy. After winning four matches in the qualifiers, he beat 2024 finalist Jak Jones in the first round before setting up a mouth-watering semi-final with Ronnie O’Sullivan after victories over Lei Peifan and Chris Wakelin.

Unfazed by taking on his hero, Zhao dismantled The Rocket to clinch his spot in the final with a session to spare and ultimately proved too good for Williams.

And Alan McManus paid tribute to the 28-year-old, who also boasts a UK Championship title he won in 2021, for his ability on the table and for the person he is outside of snooker.

"I always love when they’ve got their national flag," McManus said. "It’s a beautiful thing.

"There are detractors, but I don’t think there will be after tonight, because you get that sense he’s a human being, he’s a really nice lad, and that’s what you want to see.

"We had Luca Brecel and that was a new visual, then we had Kyren Wilson last year. We’re so used to seeing [Mark] Selby, [John] Higgins and O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan and Zhao share warm handshake after stunning semi-final

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"All these guys are now standing there in the spotlight and the tournament is all the better for it."

Asked what makes Zhao so good, McManus added: "He’s old school but he’s old-school class. That’s the way that he plays.

"He’s a throwback. He doesn’t go through the ball like Kyren Wilson and Neil Robertson and a bunch of other players, he’s got this lovely touch and glides through it.

"He never over-hits, he’s a beautiful player to watch."

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