China’s 4 contenders at 2022 World Snooker Championship: who are they and how can I watch them?
- Ding Junhui, Yan Bingtao, Zhao Xintong and Lyu Haotian all feature in snooker’s showpiece event in Sheffield
- World No 7 and UK champion Zhao is first in action on Saturday and Sunday, while Ding makes his 16th appearance
Four Chinese players are in the draw as the 2022 World Snooker Championship begins in Sheffield on Saturday, with at least two of them looking well placed to progress.
Ding Junhui, Yan Bingtao, Zhao Xintong and Lyu Haotian are the quartet carrying China’s hopes, with Zhao the first to join the fray on days one and two of the 17-day event.
As they break off at the Crucible Theatre, we take a closer look at the Chinese contenders’ prospects.
Ding Junhui
Age 35
World ranking 29
Nickname Enter The Dragon
High point In 2019, Ding became only the fifth player to win the UK title three times
1st round match vs Kyren Wilson (Wednesday 10am UK, 5pm HK; and 7pm UK, Thursday 2am HK)
For so long touted as a potential first Chinese world champion, Ding is making his 16th consecutive appearance at the Crucible, but he does so as an outsider. Having dropped down the rankings, he had to earn a place via the qualifying tournament, fighting back from 7-4 down to beat David Lilley 10-7 in the final round.
However, the last time Ding had to qualify, in 2016, was the closest he has come to landing snooker’s greatest prize, losing the final 18-14 to Mark Selby.
Last year, Ding bowed out in the first round, losing 10-9 to a rejuvenated Stuart Bingham. This time, he starts with a tough test in the shape of 2020 finalist and world No 5 Kyren Wilson.
Yan Bingtao
Age 22
World ranking 16
Nickname The Tiger
High point A nerve-shredding 2021 Masters, when Yan won deciding frames in every round before edging John Higgins 10-8 in the final
1st round match vs Chris Wakelin (Tuesday 10am UK, 5pm HK; and 7pm UK, Wednesday 2am HK)
The most realistic candidate to land China’s maiden Sheffield title could now be Yan, who announced himself with his stunning triumph in the 2021 Masters.
His nerveless demeanour and mature shot selection marked him out as a potential Crucible winner, with pundits tipping him to thrive in its longer matches.
Yan will be fancied in a first-round clash with Chris Wakelin, ranked 46 places below him at No 62, although reigning champion Mark Selby could loom next, should he advance.
Zhao Xintong
Age 25
World ranking 7
Nickname The Cyclone
High point 2021 UK title win, propelling Zhao into the world’s top 10
1st round match vs Jamie Clarke (Saturday and Sunday, both 10am UK, 5pm HK)
That came two months after his spectacular breakthrough triumph at the 2021 UK Championship, during which Ronnie O’Sullivan told the BBC: “I think he’s amazing, I think he’s our Federer. I’ve never seen a more talented snooker player.”
In Sheffield, his adopted home city, Zhao will start against Jamie Clarke, the world No 66, with the winner of Shaun Murphy’s opener with Stephen Maguire lying in wait after that.
Lyu Haotian
Age 24
World ranking 64
Nickname The Beijing Breakbuilder
High point 2018 defeat of Hong Kong’s Marco Fu made Lyu the youngest player to win a match at the Crucible since Ronnie O’Sullivan in 1995
1st round match vs Stuart Bingham (Monday 7pm UK, Tuesday 2am HK; and Tuesday 2.30pm UK, 9.30pm HK)
The least heralded of the four Chinese contenders, Lyu – who like Yan and Zhao is based in Sheffield – reached the Crucible for a third time via the qualifiers. He beat compatriots Xu Si and Lu Ning before a 10-4 defeat of Dominic Dale clinched him a place in the main draw.
In his previous appearances, Lyu lost 13-10 to Barry Hawkins in the second round in 2018 and 10-2 to Mark Allen in the first round last year.
He has a tough assignment on Monday when he takes on 2015 world champion Bingham, who after eliminating Ding went on to reach last year’s semi-finals.
How to watch 2022 World Snooker Championship
The tournament can be watched live on television or online through the following channels.
Hong Kong Now TV
Mainland China CCTV5 (including Macau), Superstar online, Kuaishou, Migu, Youku and Huya.com
UK BBC, BBC iPlayer and Red Button
Europe (including UK) Eurosport and Eurosport app
Canada, US and Brazil DAZN
Pakistan Pakistan TV Sports
Malaysia and Brunei Astro SuperSport
New Zealand Sky Sports
Taiwan Sport Cast
Thailand True Vision
Philippines Premier Sports Network
Singapore Starhub
All other territories Matchroom.live
