Snooker Sky's the limit for China's first world champion, says Williams

HAO Xintong was crowned China's first world snooker champion on a defining night for the sport in Sheffield and his vanquished opponent Mark Williams believes the sky is the limit for the new Crucible king.

- Mark STANIFORTH Press Association’

Williams, a member of the fabled ‘Class of ‘92; conjured comparisons with a young Ronnie O'Sullivan after Zhao withstood a gutsy fight-back from the veteran Welshman to wrap up an historic 18-12 victory.

Williams said: “He (Zhao) is as good to watch as O'Sullivan was when he was younger. He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Xintong is going to be a national hero now. He'll be on the front page of every news outlet going and I'm sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him.

“It’s great for our sport to have someone at the top who is so attacking and so young”

Resuming the final session one frame short of victory at 17-8, Zhao remained unflappable watching Williams, at 50 the oldest Crucible finalist, reel off four frames in a row to force a mid-session interval.