Snooker ace Zhao Xintong signals ‘new phase’ of Chinese domination after crushing compatriot Yan Bingtao in German Masters final
- Former pro Neal Foulds says the two brilliant Chinese players, both major winners, are taking global snooker into a new era
- The 24-year-old whitewashes Yan 9-0 in the final in Berlin for his second pro title of the season after his UK Championship win
The age of Chinese domination of world snooker may be dawning after Zhao Xintong hammered compatriot Yan Bingtao 9-0 in the final of the German Masters in Berlin.
The 24-year-old Zhao is starting to fulfil his promise after adding the German title to his UK Championship win, showing no mercy to his friend and the man who was himself tipped as a future world champion after his UK triumph last season.
Former top 10 player Foulds praised the two players on Twitter, saying the pair may be paving a way for a new era in world snooker.
“A superb occasion,” Foulds wrote. “Yan Bingtao v Zhao Xintong in the #GermanMasters. Two brilliant young Chinese players, one possesses the tough matchplay of Higgins/Selby. The other is a mixture of O’Sullivan/Trump. Snooker is gradually moving into a new phase.”
Zhao’s prowess first came to light when he reached the semi-finals of the 2018 China Championship. After a lean few years, he has returned to the spotlight this season with two victories.
He claimed his biggest title to date by winning the UK Championship at the end of last year and, after failing to perform at the World Grand Prix, Masters and Shoot Out, he hit back to lift the Brandon Parker Trophy at the Tempodrom in Berlin.