World Snooker Championship 2026: Reigning champion Zhao Xintong digs deep to begin title defence with 10-7 Liam Highfield

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World Snooker Championship 2026 live comments and streaming details. TNT Sports brings you frame-by-frame updates as reigning champion Zhao Xintong faces qualifier Liam Highfield in the decisive session of their first-round match. Zhao leads 5-4 heading into the evening after a competitive morning session in which the champion was far from his free-flowing best.

Watch amusing scenes as eager fan left red-faced after premature applause

Video credit: TNT Sports

Zhao Xintong becomes the first to move into the last 16 of the 2026 World Championship after netting two centuries to beat Liam Highfield 10-7 in a thrilling evening session.

It was a tense affair at the start of the second portion of the match with Zhao only just leading Highfield at 5-4, and it seemed like Zhao’s shaky form from the morning would continue as a slew of errors saw Highfield take the first frame.

But the world champ would settle back into form as he improved frame by frame, picking up nearly 300 unanswered points and a century to take four frames on the bounce to surge back into the lead for 9-5.

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Despite the pressure, Highfield rallied to take a ton of 101 of his own, and push Zhao to 9-6 by capitalising on mistakes from the world champ.

But there would be no stopping Zhao in the end, who snatched a glorious third century of the match with an audacious plant to start his visit.

Zhao steps ever closer to his bid of defending his title and shattering the Crucible curse, and he won’t play again until Friday where he awaits the victor between Ding Junhui and David Gilbert.

Follow Day 2 live

Click here for live coverage from the second day of the World Snooker Championship, as Zhang Anda takes on Mark Allen.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 10-7 Highfield

Can Zhao scoop up a third century in this match? He makes the black he needed with no fanfare and he'll take his 77th century of the season! A well earned frame after a truly ridiculous shot to start his break.

It was a difficult start to this morning but he gets the job done to be the first man through! He will face either Ding Junhui or David Gilbert on Friday.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-7 Highfield (78-1)

Zhao just needs the pink now - he's missed frame ball quite a few times now - but he makes that confidently. Zhao Xintong will move on to the last 16 and he does it in one visit!

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-7 Highfield (49-1)

Zhao is making these shots look so easy. He cuts the black into the right corner pocket and gets a great cannon into the reds. This is a real chance for him to seal the deal now, one he earned himself with that great plant.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-7 Highfield (17-1)

Delightful work from Zhao as he bravely takes a chance on a plant - there was one in the mouth of the right corner pocket but the first red was quite a ways from it. How much pressure can he put on Highfield with this visit?

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-7 Highfield (0-1)

Highfield is getting his steps in as he eyes up his next shot. The cue ball is above the yellow, and he's trying to find a line through the pack to bring it back to the baulk cushion. It's a good judgement of pace and he manages to get it right on the cushion.

Zhao finds a gap of his own and the scoreline stays at only one for Highfield.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-7 Highfield (0-1)

Decent break-off from Zhao, and it will be a series of safeties to start.

Zhao plays a bizarre shot, clips the blue, and HIghfield will have an easy red now. Oh but it's a miss! What a wonderul chance that would have been.

Zhao misses his own shot, a long red, and offers Highfield another chance. This time he successfully makes it into the left middle, no attempt at a colour.

World Championship LIVE - On the other table

It's a slog over on the second table as it's 3-2 to Stevens. He and Hawkins still have four more frames to see out before they finish up the first session of their match.

Here's a look ahead to some of the excitement that Ronnie O'Sullivan could bring us over the coming days.

Which World Championship records can O’Sullivan break this year?

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World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-7 Highfield

It's a tricky table out there, the blue is up on the yellow spot, the green is on the right cushion, and the black is in the middle of the table.

Zhao misses the long red and that bold attempt will not be rewarded as Highfield sinks it into the right corner. He pots the pink and it'll be two snookers needed.

The Englishman gets just the yellow after that to end the half hour frame.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield (34-61)

Highfield snookers Zhao, but the world champ answers with one of his own after a nice swerve of the cue ball around the blue.

Highfield gets so close to potting the red into the left middle, and now Zhao will jump on that mistake. Will he go for a colour or the snooker? He slams the brown into the green pocket, and pulls the cue ball down the table into the two reds on the cushion. What a shot, but he isn't on.

Highfield pots a long red after Zhao's safety, but doesn't go for a colour.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield (29-60)

Zhao misses his long attempt but avoids leaving Highfield a shot. His next safety isn't so good though, and Highfield will pot. It's a difficult table with the reds and the pink near the cushions.

He pots the pink, but doesn't hit the red with his cue ball to take it off the top rail and it seems like his visit ends there.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield (29-53)

Groans again from the crowd as Zhao gets a great line, only to miss the red. Highfield plays the safety to baulk.

Zhao's next safety leaves a long red open, will Highfield go for it? No he doesn't.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield (21-53)

Zhao finds another great pot, sinks a red to the right middle. He polishes off the other open red on the table and now he will face the four reds all on the left side of the table.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield (5-53)

Highfield will try to take on a red now to the left corner pocket and it's just off! Zhao surveys the table, and it's such a thin cut but he plays it to perfection. He gets the brown as well but ends up short on the red, and his visit will end there.

'What a shot!' - Zhao stuns again with stylish long pot

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World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield (0-53)

Highfield makes a slight error on a red, ends up on the pink and not the black. He pots it anyway but now the pink will nestle right into the middle of the pack.

Highfield plays the blue, goes into the pack, and isn't lucky enough to get anything on. Safety it is.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield (0-14)

Highfield sinks a bold red to the left corner pocket after Zhao misses a long shot, and follows it up with a solid shot on the black. It's another favourable array of reds, and Highfield's confidence will surely be back up after that century.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-6 Highfield

Just six minutes for Highfield to deliver a quick and clean end to Zhao's hopes for the frame, and he has a possible 137 on his hands. The Englishman has only made one century here at the Crucible before - and he will double that number tonight! He won't get a clearance but it's 101 from Highfield to make it 9-6.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-5 Highfield (0-58)

It seems that Highfield has the table under control so far, the reds look to be in a good position and he's playing well using both the pink and the black. 83 left on the table.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-5 Highfield (0-23)

Highfield gets the 15th frame going with a brilliant red to the left middle. It's all or nothing now for the Englishman, what can he do?

World Championship LIVE - On the other table

Hawkins and Stevens have gone to interval with two frames each under their belt.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 9-5 Highfield

Highfield snookers Zhao, and Zhao drifts the green just past the right middle. Highfield plays a sensational shot - he risks potting the cue ball to rest the cue ball right on the edge of the pocket with a perfect judgement of pace.

But his safety after that isn't so brilliant, and Zhao goes for the pot. He just overdoes his next shot on the brown and the frame continues. Highfield doesn't manage to snooker Zhao and this time the world champ will get it done. One more to advance!

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield (60-37)

The two play a couple of safeties before Highfield gets the next chance. He pots the final red then the black, and now the colours will be difficult. The green is down the right side of the table between the blue and black - and luck just isn't with Highfield right now, he pots the yellow but snookers himself with the blue!

He goes for the green with the cushion - nearly flukes it! - but he puts the cue ball up to baulk.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield (60-27)

Oh dear! Zhao shoots his head to the scoreboard as he misses the black, which would have been frame ball. Highfield is in with a big chance now, he takes a red and black but he leaves himself with a horrible shot to the middle.

The Englishman plays it well, but then he finds himself in trouble! He chooses to take the brown, but his cue ball hits the green on its path to the cue ball on the top cushion and his visit will tragically end there.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield (53-14)

Zhao doesn't get the cannon he wanted, but recovers well with the spider to sink his red and get on a line for the black. Five reds to go.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield (21-14)

Groans from the crowd as a kiss nearly sends Highfield's cue ball into the middle pocket. His relief doesn't hold out long though as he misses a rest shot on a red after that.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield (21-8)

Zhao splits the pack in a big display, but then overcuts the pink. Highfield now has a good line on a red along the cushion and he sinks it well. What can he do now?

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield (8-0)

Safeties for both players so far. Zhao has 274 unanswered points going into this frame, and it'll be crunch time for the Englishman.

Highfield makes the first mistake, but it's a tough shot to the red corner. But Zhao's long game stays just as good as the frames before and he pots that confidently.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield (0-0)

It's 2-1 to Stevens against Hawkins on the other side of the room, but on this table we're back in action! HIghfield breaks to get us started for the last portion of this match.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 8-5 Highfield

Zhao is creeping up towards a potential second century for today. He's made 75 this season, the best of anyone on the tour so far. He sinks the green, and he makes the ton for 76!

He looks to have found his groove now, he makes the clearance for the cherry on top and he will come back from the interval needing only two more frames to move on. In the meantime, rewatch the world champ's stunning long red that opened the 12th frame here.

'That's unfair!' - Will you see a better shot than this classic from Zhao?

Video credit: TNT Sports

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 7-5 Highfield (66-0)

With the cue ball up at baulk, Zhao floats a stray red into the right middle to resume his points charge. It's looking good for a while, but then Zhao is forced to break the pack open on his next shot. Lady Luck seems to be on his side as he sinks the red and gets a kiss to end up well on the blue. It would have been a very dangerous table if he had missed that. 66 ahead, 75 remaining.

Laughter echoes from the other side of the hall as Stevens apologises for a rerack in his third frame with Hawkins.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 7-5 Highfield (6-0)

Zhao will break for our last frame before the interval. Highfield has a tricky long red to the right cornerm he plays the safety instead.

Zhao will then get a chance at the left middle shortly after, and he makes it to applause. He misses his next red, just undercuts it and he'll be disappointed with that. Highfield goes for a rest shot now to the right corner pocket - he misses!

World Championship LIVE - On the other table

It's one apiece on the other side of the hall, Stevens takes the second against Hawkins after a long second frame.

You can watch both matches live and on-demand on HBO Max.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 7-5 Highfield

It's a short visit from Zhao but he won't be worried about that as he goes two up!

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 6-5 Highfield (82-0)

It's not quite over yet - Zhao just misses a pink and Highfield could steal this with a snooker. The Englishman misses his shot and Zhao has another long red on the table. It's another beauty and he will take pink successfully this time to take this frame for sure.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 6-5 Highfield (62-0)

Zhao plays the cannon into the pack and it seems to have worked out for him. He ends a touch low on the black but recovers with no problem. Six reds left.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 6-5 Highfield (5-0)

Zhao pots a delightful red to get us going for the 12th frame! Highfield put the cue ball right on the cushion, but Zhao manages to get a good measure of pace on it to pot the brown. It's looking much better from the world champ.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 6-5 Highfield

Zhao sinks the yellow with some nice positioning, but his path isn't any easier from here. The green is off its spot, and the blue and pink are up at baulk as well. It's beautiful work from him to pot the four balls under pressure, and he won't need the black to regain the lead!

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield (52-59)

Will Zhao be tempted? He can play along the side of the table, a red to the right corner pocket, but a mistake will be disastrous. He lines it up - it's in! He's got some work ahead to catch up, one being a rest shot that he's fussing with. He then sinks the black, just misses the yellow on the top rail to bounce the cue ball over to the last red on the left cushion.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield (26-59)

Zhao pots the yellow, then takes a safety. Highfield narrowly avoids the double kiss and he will snooker Zhao now. Three reds remaining, all near the left corner pocket with the black sitting among them.

Zhao fouls. He chooses a different line this time, and avoids leaving a ball on. Back to safeties it is.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield (23-55)

Zhao puts the cue ball at the mouth of the green pocket. Highfield is left with few options now, he goes for a red next to the pink spot. Zhao lines up a red near the left corner pocket, he has just the barest sliver of space past the brown but it's in!

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield (23-55)

Zhao pots, but he quickly finds himself without a move as the cue ball ends up against the three reds in the middle of the table. Only 23 and he'll play the cue ball up to baulk.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield (0-55)

Highfield pots a fifth black, and he's on for the 147 if he wishes. He's made three 140s in the past, will he stay the path? He chooses not to screw the cue ball down for the black and he'll take the blue instead. He doesn't end up straight on the next red, and he misses the yellow after!

It's an echo of his earlier mistake, same colour same pocket.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield (0-16)

It's a mistake from Zhao yet again, and Highfield will slam that red home. The 35-year-old continues to stay calm against the turbulence we're seeing from Zhao right now.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield (0-0)

Zhao breaks for the second frame of this session, and neither player has gone for the shot yet.

World Championship LIVE - On the other table

Stevens makes the clearance to steal the opening frame after Hawkins missed a red. 1-0. It's proving to be exciting snooker yet again here at the Crucible and tough opponents lie ahead for all - even O'Sullivan. The seven-time champ will be facing He Guoqiang, see what our commentators think about that here.

McManus sends O'Sullivan warning about first-round opponent He - 'He'll be a handful'

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World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-5 Highfield

This is a disastrous start for Zhao. He tries to put the red to baulk, but the cue ball drops into the left corner to allows Highfield another good red.

Highfield looks good on the colours now - needs the blue for the frame. He takes a strange line for the blue but makes a lovely pot nonetheless to secure the win. He takes the pink for good measure and Highfield equalises!

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-4 Highfield (48-39)

Highfield is just slightly off on his line to a red down the left, but he gets lucky with the red landing on the top cushion after that miss. Zhao delivers a bad safety and leaves his opponent a gift right in front of the middle pocket.

Highfield takes that red then plays a safety.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-4 Highfield (41-38)

Oh a mistake! Zhao pots a tough red, then the pink but he rolls in the white! Highfield gets some reprieve now, is there a shot he can take? He tries a red to the right corner pocket and it falls in after a little shake in the jaws.

Alan McManus has doubts over Zhao's performance so far and Highfield is definitely making it difficult for the world champ.

'Don't know if his work ethic is right' - McManus discusses 'shaky' Zhao display

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World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-4 Highfield (41-21)

The table is wide open, has Zhao turned the page from his shaky form this morning? As White says, it's a 'fantastic decision' to keep the Championship here at the Crucible and you can hear how dearly the crowd loves these players.

It's looking much better from the titleholder as he works his way towards the half ton.

'Fantastic decision' to keep World Snooker Championship at Crucible - White

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World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-4 Highfield (1-21)

Highfield pots first, then quickly finds himself himself in a tough position. The reds are loose, but he's forced to cannon off the black and now he's in trouble. He has are a couple of options next to the pink, but his red just trails left and clips the side of the middle pocket.

Zhao steps up to the table and sinks a red.

World Championship LIVE - Zhao 5-4 Highfield (0-0)

Highfield breaks to get us underway.

World Championship LIVE - Here we go

The players are walking out now, get ready for some brilliant snooker to finish up opening day at the Crucible Theatre! Highfield is chasing his maiden main win in Sheffield, Zhao is looking to continue his title defense. Off they go!

Great snooker enthusiast Virgo will be missed - White

Video credit: TNT Sports

World Championship LIVE - Good evening

Welcome back to the second session of the match between reigning world champion Zhao Xintong and Liam Highfield, the first man in the way of his bid to break the Crucible curse.

We have a possible 10 frames ahead with the scoreline currently held at 5-4 in favour of Zhao. Who will make it to the last 16?

Meanwhile, there are three other matches to be resumed tomorrow: Zhang Anda leads Mark Allen 5-3, Mark Williams is 6-3 over Antoni Kowalski, and Xiao Guodong is just ahead of Zhou Yuelong at 5-4.

Barry Hawkins and Matthew Stevens start their match on the second table tonight also at 7PM.