يحاول ذهب - حر

Williams on the ropes as Zhao dominates opening session

May 05, 2025

|

The Guardian

The Crucible qualifier Zhao Xintong dominated Mark Williams in the opening session of the World Snooker Championship final, running up a 7-1 lead.

- Phil Casey

Williams on the ropes as Zhao dominates opening session

The Chinese, who thrashed Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-final, was in complete control as the three-time champion was unable to find the form that saw him upset Judd Trump on Saturday.

Zhao won the first three frames to set the tone in the best-of-35 clash and refused to let the Welshman back in, hitting two fine centuries along the way.

That was enough to make him firm favourite to become just the third player in history to win the prestigious tournament having come through qualification.

Zhao, playing as an amateur in Sheffield, settled quickest, controlling the opening frame after an initial 51-point flurry and sealing it after navigating a safety exchange.

Williams opened his account for the day with a long red at the start of the second but missed the chance to win it, inviting his opponent in for a clean 100 break.

المزيد من القصص من The Guardian

The Guardian

The Guardian

'Heroic' rail worker in fight for life after tackling train knife attacker

Single suspect held over stabbings as 11 victims are treated in hospital

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

World Cup wave leaves Saracens riding high in the sun

The stars came out to dazzle a record Saracens crowd in a 47-10 derby win for the home side against Harlequins

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Goal machine Haaland's latest double fires City up to second

But Guardiola still criticises refereeing standards at Etihad by saying: They're brave here’

time to read

1 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Southampton sack Still as club slide into the danger zone

Southampton have sacked Will Still after the club dropped closer to the Championship relegation zone.

time to read

1 min

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

UK workforce risks loss of extra 600,000 people to poor health - study

An extra 600,000 people will leave the workforce in the next decade because of long-term health conditions unless there is \"a fundamental shift\" in how employers help maintain staff well-being, a report says.

time to read

1 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Nuno hails fans as Hammers hit back in rare win

Nuno Espírito Santo said that his West Ham team had given their fans “something small” to cling on to with a first victory of his tenure and that he hoped a performance of grit, ability and, perhaps most importantly, belief would give them momentum in their fight against relegation.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Cycles of power The young bike fans reclaiming the streets of Johannesburg

On a hot Saturday spring morning, Karabo Mashele urged a group of female cyclists up the hills of a plush Johannesburg suburb.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Shafali and Deepti the home heroes as India make history

Wolvaardt hits another hundred but South Africa pay for dropped catches in final

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Reeves is warned not to cut VAT on electricity bills

Proposals being considered by Rachel Reeves to cut tax on electricity bills will backfire, experts have warned, resulting in a giveaway to richer homeowners and undermining the UK's climate commitments.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

Wolves eye O'Neil and Edwards after Pereira exits

Wolves could turn to their former head coach Gary O'Neil after sacking Vítor Pereira, with Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards another leading candidate.

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size