POTS OF CASH

Xintong tipped to become richest player in history of the game

- BY SHANE MacDERMOTT

ZHAO XINTONG is set to become the richest potter on the planet after victory in the World Championship.

The Cyclone became the first Chinese player to win the game's greatest prize with an 18-12 triumph over Mark Williams on Monday night.

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

China is a massive market for snooker, with Zhao, 28, the new face of the sport. And snooker's new superstar, who banked £500,000 by winning the title at the Crucible, is due to dwarf the Rocket’s earnings with commercial deals alone.