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Riyadh Season Snooker Championship recap - Zhao Xintong defeats Neil Robertson in final to earn £250,000 first prize

The chase for the elusive $1m 167 Golden Ball break continued on the final day of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in Saudi Arabia. Defending champion Mark Allen lost 4-1 to Neil Robertson in the first semi-final before world champion Zhao Xintong edged world No. 1 Judd Trump 4-3 in the second last-four match. Zhao then defeated Robertson 5-2 in the final to claim the £250,000 first prize.

By Desmond Kane | Updated 21/11/2025 at 22:18 GMT

Zhao opens up 3-1 lead over Robertson with ‘immaculate’ century

Video credit: TNT Sports

Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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WORLD CHAMPION ZHAO XINTONG CLAIMS TITLE IN RIYADH
Zhao Xintong claimed his first major trophy since winning the World Championship in May with a 5-2 victory over Neil Robertson in the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship final in Saudi Arabia.
After edging out world No. 1 Judd Trump 4-3 in a superb semi-final earlier on Friday, Zhao showed his clinical scoring qualities as breaks of 131, 134 and a closing 57 saw him secure the trophy and £250,000 first prize.
The final seemed to hinge on a pivotal third frame with the match locked at 1-1 that saw Zhao somehow recover from trailing 48-0 to move 2-1 clear, with the balls clearly favouring his opponent.
A subdued Robertson, who coasted past defending champion Mark Allen 4-1 in the opening semi-final, rolled in a 91 in the sixth frame, but missing a red to left centre in the seventh frame proved fatal to his prospects of a recovery.
Zhao defeated Mark Williams 18-12 to secure his maiden world title in the spring, and this triumph will boost his confidence ahead of his quest for a second UK Championship title in York, with the main stages starting next Saturday, November 29, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The Crucible champion also becomes the 11th different winner of a tournament from as many events this season.
But the $1m Golden Ball jackpot for making the sport's first 167 has again gone unclaimed after the third edition of the invitational competition, with nobody seriously threatening to carry off the huge prize.

RESULT: ROBERTSON 2-5 ZHAO
"I don't want Neil to know I'm nervous," said Zhao. "I was looking forward to this final a lot because Neil is a very good player. I'm so happy to win now. Amazing this week. First time in Saudi, and I could see a lot of people support me."

RESULT: ROBERTSON 2-5 ZHAO
"Well below the level I produced to reach the final," said Robertson. "A few tired shots here and there, but it has taken the world champion to beat me, so no shame in that. Crowd has been amazing from the first day to the final."
ROBERTSON 2-4 ZHAO (37-74)
Victory for the world champion in Riyadh. He defeats Neil Robertson 5-2 to earn the £250,000 first prize. A superb effort from Zhao.
ROBERTSON 2-4 ZHAO (37-71)
In goes the final red along top cush. Just needs the black. And in goes the black. A done deal in Riyadh. The world champion is the new Riyadh Season Championship winner.
ROBERTSON 2-4 ZHAO (37-53)
Crisp pot on blue to right centre. White flies around the angles, and back down for the next red. Sees away red with the rest. Is this the winning thrust?
ROBERTSON 2-4 ZHAO (37-25)
But just when you thought it was safe to step back in the water, Robbo can't track a red to left centre. How costly will that prove to be?
ROBERTSON 2-4 ZHAO (30-17)
Robbo back at the table here. Could get very interesting if he can snaffle up this fame. Fine longish red from Robertson. Straight, but put away with real intent. Building a lead in frame he requires to keep this final alive.
ROBERTSON 2-4 ZHAO (1-17)
Zhao chucks in a bit of a quick one using the rest in trying to slot a red and missing. All a bit tense perhaps at this stage of final.
ROBERTSON 2-4 ZHAO (1-8)
Neil failing to escape from a snooker, but Zhao misses red to right middle by miles. That could be a costly miss too. Didn't play it with safety in mind. But Robbo then misses blue to the same bag. Didn't see that coming.
ROBERTSON 1-4 ZHAO (91-0)
Robbo could deliver a second century in two frames here. Frames are speeding away in Riyadh. Back to 4-2 behind. Not quite the century, but 91 is a very fine and timely knock. Still in the hunt chasing the £250,000 first prize.
ROBERTSON 1-4 ZHAO (50-0)
This is some quality stuff from Neil. Fighting fire with fire. Enough reds in open to get this frame won here and now. First 50 break of final is registered by Robbo with more to come.
ROBERTSON 1-4 ZHAO (27-0)
Corking long red from Robbo. Now then. This is clearly a scoring table. Can Neil hit back with a big break here? Golden ball is gone for this frame, but every chance to reduce the gap here.
ROBERTSON 1-3 ZHAO (0-134)
Well this is a bit special from Zhao. Looks at one with the table. A total clearance of 134. Fans in Riyadh loving every second of that break. And the winning post is suddenly in sight for the talented Chinese potter. One more needed.
ROBERTSON 1-3 ZHAO (0-60)
"Deceptively quick in scoring," says Stephen Hendry on TNT Sports. Not far from a 4-1 lead in this final. Nothing Neil can do sitting in his seat.
ROBERTSON 1-3 ZHAO (0-44)
Some exceptional cue ball control by Zhao here. Looking very good to get this frame tied up in double quick time. Looking every inch the world champion out there.
ROBERTSON 1-3 ZHAO (0-13)
Zhao looking to make a strong start to this fifth frame. Bangs away a stunning long red, and this give him first poke at these balls.
ROBERTSON 1-2 ZHAO (1-131)
A sparkling century too from Zhao, who will enjoy his mid-session cuppa. Looking good for his first title since the Crucible in May. A total clearance of 131. He moves 3-1 clear.
picture

Robertson benefits from timely fluke to win ‘big frame’ against Zhao in final

Video credit: TNT Sports


ROBERTSON 1-2 ZHAO (1-82)
Excellent level of play from the world champion. All over this final like a rash. Moving two to the good out there.
ROBERTSON 1-2 ZHAO (1-59)
Robbo took on a long red. Got it, but missed the cutback black and suddenly he is facing a two-frame deficit in this final.