Zhao Sintun – World Champion 2025: Review of the decisive matches of the Snuker World Cup in Crucib. Billiards

The Snukera World Championship ended with a sensation. First of all, the champion for the first time became a representative of China Zhao Sintoun. In addition, the 28-year-old player had the status of « amateur », so he got into the main grid, overcoming all four circles of qualification.

His rival – Valleian Mark Williams is a much more experienced player. What only three victories on World Snoker Championship are worth in 2000, 2003 and 2018. And what victories! All on the nerves! Three finals – three times 18:16.

Mark was not lucky only in 1999 – then he fell under the rink of Prime Stephen Hendri. For the Scottish, it was the seventh (and the last) champion trophy for ten years.

As many times the winner of the World Cup was the Englishman Ronnie O’Sallawan. Many fans of this sport in the soul hoped that the « rocket » would do it, but …

Zhao Sintun (a) – Ronnie O’Sallan (5) – 17: 7

The first session, May 1, passed exactly – and the score confirmed: 4: 4.

But the next, which began on May 2 at 12:00, was shocking. Zhao took four frames in a row in just 44 minutes. It seems that Ronnie, who himself was dissatisfied with his own form and did not play from January to the World Cup 2025, only confirmed: he does not enjoy the matches in the morning.

Sintun, being on the couragebrought the score to 12: 4. « Dry » session against o’sallan – Only the fourth is similar For all 33 world championships.

The third session began with two won parties for Ronnie. However, probably Sintun himself decided to weaken the grip. What are only two unsuccessful blows on a red ball! However, the victory from him did not go anywhere.

The face of the « rocket » was expressed by despair, but in the flash interview he was glad for Zhao and praised him sincerely. And this is not surprising both were trained together at the Victoria Academy. So, though slightly drawn by the ears, you can still say that the student finally overcome the teacher.

With his victory was proud of Zhao himself, Not forgetting to note the influence of the legendary O’Sllivan on her own career. In particular, he posted a post on Instagram with a concise signature: « Because of you. »

Mark Williams (6) – Judd Trump (1) – 17:14

Judd Trump spent a brilliant season. He updated – and had already improved – a record for the number of Senchuri in one year. But somehow it develops that there are problems forever in Krusiblya.

The 35-year-old native of Bristol-this is where the WPBSA office is located-for several years in a row he cannot be tuned to the legendary Snuker Theater.

In 2019, he became the world champion, and then it seemed: here she is a new era. But every time Judd is missing something. This year everything seemed to be perfect: one by one Kairen Wilson, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Jack Jones, John Giggins, Ronnie O’Sallawan … were flew … Luke Bresel Trump knocked out personally.

Undoubtedly, Mark Williams deserves respect, but for most experts and fans, the favorite was obvious – Judd.

The first session of the Trump finals won 5: 3. The second is 5: 3 in favor of Welsh. The turning point was 10: 9 in favor of Trump. « Ace » led 52:35, had a complex red ball – did not score. And Williams then clean the table coldly.

It seems to hurt Judd mentally. Mark added the course and proved the score until 15:11. At that moment in memory, he escaped him Quarterfinals against John Giggins. There he also had the advantage of four frames, lost it – and only miraculously reached the semifinals.

Trump, having received a chance, became himself again: after Senchuri made an account 15:12. But in the next frame, 50-year-old Williams quenched the passion of the opponent.

And for 16:14 there was a climax. Mark was close to the mistake, but when he smelled victory, he easily coped with the rest of the balls. He felt the moment and did his job. The oldest participant of the finale in the history of « Crucchli ».

Apparently, the semifinals took a lot of strength from Williams, because even the husky accidentally escaped from his mouth in an expert studio.

Zhao Sintun (China) – Mark Williams (Vels) – 18:11

« So, what do I do today: playing in golf or stroll in the park? It seems like nothing else, » Williams wrote on social networks.

Young Chinese understood how important this match would be. Neither the wandered Lian Wenbo nor more experienced by Zhao Xiao Godun and Din Jiahi did not become champions. Although Ziahi was close – the 2016 finale.

The first session for Mark turned into a failure – 1: 7. The highest break of the three -time champion is only 61 points. The weak game is evidenced by an indicator of 81% in the attack.

The biggest obstacle for Cintun during the first session was … Fly.

In the second quarter at the table, Mark was more confident and returned the intrigue a little – 6:11. Twitter was actively remembered that in 2000 he had already managed to make Cambek. Then he lost 6:12.

It is perhaps for such a « return » of Valley and « gave » the next frame. Both of the party # 19 were mistaken – which is just worth two Wows Williams in the central pockets. But stronger nerves were in the veteran. However, Sintoun was the best again: the next two draws – and he reached the greatest advantage – 14: 7.

« It’s actually pretty scary that Zhao’s balls score. Does he realize that he is in the World Cup final? He makes it so easily, looks so relaxed. He plays with a smile on his face – he just like it,  » – He said on BBC Ken Doger, Winner World Snooker Championship 1997.

In the 22nd Freime, a 28-year-old player led 42: 0, but Mark did not score a red ball. Zhao came out at the table. He had a difficult exit to the blue, but the luck did not leave him that day – Fluck flew (accidental hit – note). And similar to him happened more than once a match. The chance that the champion will decide in three sessions has become very close.

The Vels representative made the score of 15: 8. This meant for sure that there would be an evening session. However, the hint of the struggle seemed to not expected – the next two parties won Zhao.

It was expected that the audience would not have time to see and begin to enjoy the duel of youth and experience, as part of the match, which began at 21:00 in Kyiv time, will end.

But it didn’t happen as it thought. Mark issued a wonderful start – four frames in a row – the fourth in general. Although lucky, if it were not for Fluck at the beginning, it would probably be different. After a 15-minute break, Zhao still has an opponent.

Standing ovations for the new champion. Standing ovations – legend, Mark Williams. Snuker got a new king. And if you take into account the etymology, let the emperor be.

Interesting facts about the finale

Mark Williams He became the oldest finalist of the World Championship since the tournament began to accept the Kruchl Theater in 1977. At the time of the finals, he was 50 years old, which exceeds the previous record of Riardon, who played in 1982 in the finals at the age of 49, 7 months and 6 days.

Zhao Sintun He became the first in the history of Chinese and the first representative of Asia to win the World Cup with Snuker. The closest to the title of Asian players was Din Junhui, who played in the final in 2016.

The last player who went through qualification became the world champion in 2005 – it was Sean Murphy. At that time, he ranked 48th in the world rating.

For the third time in the history of the final of the World Cup was judged by a woman. She became 32-year-old Desylav Bozhilov From Bulgaria. She became the second woman to judge the finals of the World Championship (after Michael Tabb in 2009 and 2012), and the first who officially served the finals of all three Triple Crown tournaments (Masters, UK Championship, World Championship).