Zhao Xintong wins World Grand Prix title in Hong Kong to keep finals record intact
Victory over Zhang Anda in first all-Chinese ranking tournament final since December 2024 gives him fifth title in as many finals
Zhao Xintong maintained his perfect finals record after edging past fellow Chinese Zhang Anda 10-6 to clinch the World Grand Prix title in Hong Kong on Sunday.
The win marked Zhao’s fifth title – ranking and non-ranking – in as many final appearances since 2021, after his previous victories at the UK Championship, German Masters, World Snooker Championship and the Riyadh Season Player Championship.
“I am very excited right now because it’s my first time playing in such a ranking tournament in Hong Kong, so for me, this trophy is something different,” Zhao said at the post-match press conference. “It’s going to be a massive confidence boost, and help me do well in the future.
“But I felt nervous from start to finish. I just kept telling myself to do the best I could and play it to my rhythm. I think I adjusted well throughout and performed well in the final.”
In the first all-Chinese ranking tournament final since the Scottish Open in December 2024, Zhao and Zhang combined to produce three 50-plus breaks as the duo split the first four frames at Kai Tak Arena in the afternoon session.
Zhang, 34, claimed his first lead in the match with a break of 84 after the interval, but Zhao responded immediately with two centuries, including a tournament-high break of 145 in the seventh frame, earning the reigning world champion an extra £10,000 (HK$106,375.50) in prize money.