Zhao back to knock out Jak

Zhao Xintong has his sights on becoming China's first world snooker champion after blazing into round two with a 10-4 win over last year’s runner-up Jak Jones at the Crucible.

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The 28-year-old from Xian made the most of his 20-month ban for his involvement in a betting scandal by having laser surgery on his eyes in 2024.

Xintong, who won the UK Championship in 2021, duly returned as an amateur to cruise through Q School and four rounds of Crucible qualifiers before reeling off nine half-centuries to overwhelm the 31-year-old Welshman.