Stephen Hendry hails Zhao Xintong as ‘the best ball striker I’ve ever seen’ after victory at Riyadh Season Snooker Championship
Updated 22/11/2025 at 07:22 GMT
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Zhao Xintong powered his way past Neil Robertson to win the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship final on Friday night. The 28-year-old hit top form in the Saudi Arabian capital, and Stephen Hendry waxed lyrical about the Chinese player's qualities, saying he believes his ball-striking skills are better than the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Selby.
‘The future of snooker’ – Hendry tips Zhao as ‘man to beat’ at UK Championship
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stephen Hendry hailed Zhao Xintong as "the best ball striker I’ve ever seen" after he beat Neil Robertson 5-2 to win the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship final.
The world champion showcased his class with breaks of 131, 134 and 57 to win the first prize of £250,000.
Zhao becomes the 11th different winner of a tournament from as many events this season, after emerging victorious in the Saudi capital.
Speaking after his win on Friday night, Zhao said: "I didn't want Neil to know I'm nervous. 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."
The turning point in the match appeared to come in the third frame, as Zhao staged a dramatic recovery from 48-0 behind to take a 2-1 lead, with the positioning of the balls clearly favouring Robertson.
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Zhao opens up 3-1 lead over Robertson with ‘immaculate’ century
Video credit: TNT Sports
It was another success for Zhao, who claimed the world title with a stunning win over Mark Williams at The Crucible in May.
The 28-year-old’s focus now shifts to the UK Championship, which begins next Saturday, November 29 – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – and he will be targeting victory again after winning the title in 2021.
"He's going to York now, a place where he's already won the UK Championship before, he's going with a win under his belt – his first win as world champion – which must feel amazing to him. He's going to be the man to beat there," said Hendry on TNT Sports.
"I've repeated myself two or three times. He's the best ball striker I've ever seen, playing snooker. I'm including everyone in that - from the [Ronnie] O' Sullivans to the [Mark] Selbys, to the [Judd] Trumps, everyone.
"No-one struck the ball as pure as Zhao Xintong and I think he could be the future of snooker for the next 20 years."
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Zhao completes victory over Robertson to claim Riyadh title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jimmy White previously spoke about the impact of Zhao's World Championship success, and believes he has raised the sport's profile to a new level in his native China.
Speaking on TNT Sports in September, White said: "Zhao being world champion, we expected Ding would be the first Chinese world champion, the game has exploded again in China.
"I was out there with Ronnie O’Sullivan playing some exhibitions. It is phenomenal the amount of coverage he is getting. Zhao Xintong is a superstar out there now."
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White also explained how Zhao draws on support from compatriots Xiao Guodong, Lei Peifan, Zhang Anda, Ding Junhui and Fan Zhengyi, who have also won tournaments in recent seasons.
"They all stick together," White added. "They get a lot of help from the Chinese snooker association, they practice together and they inspire each other.
"He [Zhao] is massive. He has taken it to a new level. He is a young, good-looking guy. He is really suave. He is modern and so he has a different audience now."
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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