In a thrilling all-Chinese quarterfinal at the World Snooker Tour Shanghai Masters, 28-year-old Zhao Xintong delivered a masterclass performance to defeat veteran Ding Junhui 6-1 on Thursday. The match, held in east China's Shanghai Municipality, showcased Zhao's precision as he opened with a 134 break and sealed victory with three consecutive frames featuring breaks of 75, 75, and 119.
Ding, a crowd favorite at 38, briefly rallied with an 84 break in the third frame but struggled to contain Zhao's momentum. "I focused on my rhythm and didn't overthink," said Zhao, who will now face England's Kyren Wilson in the semifinals. Wilson advanced after defeating seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-3.
The result highlights China's growing prominence in professional snooker, with two generations of players drawing global attention to the tournament. Academics note such events strengthen Shanghai's position as Asia's sporting hub, while diaspora communities follow these matches as cultural touchstones.
