POCKET MONEY

Zhao going to make pots of cash

- by SHANE MacDERMOTT

ZHAO XINTONG is set to become the richest potter on the planet after becoming China’s first world champion.

The Cyclone, 28, blew away the field as he became the first qualifier since Shaun Murphy 20 years ago to win the game's greatest prize with an 18-12 victory over all-time great Mark Williams on Monday night.

Ronnie O'Sullivan (inset, top) is the sport's highest ever earner with prize money alone around the £15m mark before lucrative sponsorship deals and exhibitions earnings.

China is a massive market for snooker, with Zhao the new face of the sport.

And snooker's latest superstar, who banked £500,000 by winning the title, is due to dwarf The Rocket's earnings with commercial deals alone.