World Championship 2025: Mark Williams 'not out of' final but Zhao Xintong 'can get better' in Crucible showpiece - Jimmy White
By Alex Livie
Published 04/05/2025 at 17:57 GMT+1
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Mark Williams has a mountain to climb in the final of the World Championship at the Crucible after Zhao Xintong won the first session 7-1. The Welshman has time to recover, but the TNT Sports panel are of the opinion that his opponent can get better. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'Made a big mistake there' - Zhao punishes Williams miss to extend lead
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports experts Jimmy White, Alan McManus and Reanne Evans believe Mark Williams "is not out of" the World Championship final, but the fear for the Welshman is that Zhao Xintong "can get better".
In his first World Championship final and second Triple Crown final after his win at the UK Championship in 2021, Zhao took to the stage as if he owned it with a dominant first session.
He picked off two centuries and breaks of 77, 57 and 83 in establishing a 7-1 lead.
Williams has three sessions to recover in the race to 18, but the TNT Sports panel feel Zhao has more gears to go through.
"That is his lowest gear," McManus said in the TNT Sports studio.
McManus does, however, feel the interval came at a good time for Williams.
"I know it’s a big deficit, but at least he has had a look and it will be in his mind that he is playing a guy who is not fazed by being in the world final, so it is time to get to work, and he has plenty of time left," McManus added. "There will be a fightback at some stage.
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'Pressing on' - Zhao makes second century of final against Williams
Video credit: TNT Sports
"He has got time to make a move. He does not have to win the session tonight, but he’s got to make a big fightback either tonight or tomorrow afternoon."
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White feels Williams struggled to come to terms with the quality of his opponent.
"It has to be said Mark Williams has struggled," White said. "But so many players at this World Championship have not played at all against him.
"Ronnie [O'Sullivan] played bad for different reasons, but it has carried on with Mark Williams.
"He is not out of it, Mark Williams, but the problem he’s got is this kid can get better.
"He needs to win the next session at least 6-3 as this boy is only going to get better."
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'Oh my goodness, that is absolutely sensational' - Zhao nails stunning plant
Video credit: TNT Sports
Giving her take on the first session, Evans felt there were questionable shot selections from Williams.
"His shot selection has been questionable," the 12-time women’s world champion said. "He has not read the table that well.
"He never normally does that, he has missed a trick in a few frames and has not been at the races."
The second session between Williams and Zhao is at 6:30pm UK time on Sunday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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