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Zhao surges past Higgins to seal Players Championship title

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John Higgins v Zhao Xintong live stream | Players Championship 2026 Final preview

Zhao secured back-to-back ranking titles on Sunday

Zhao Xintong made it back-to-back ranking titles after beating John Higgins 10-7 to land the Players Championship crown in Telford.

The reigning World champion followed up his World Grand Prix triumph from last time out, reeling off the last three frames with breaks of 104, 126 and 92 to pocket the top prize of ยฃ150,000.

Zhao maintained his perfect record in ranking finals as he became the fourth player – after Steve Davis, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson – to win each of the first five he has contested.

Meanwhile, Higgins narrowly missed out on becoming the oldest ranking event winner in snooker history, but was full of praise for his opponent.

“I had a red to go 7-5 front, that was the chance,” he told 5. “I couldn’t pot a long ball all day, then Zhao doesn’t really miss any long balls.

“The last three frames, it was absolute poetry in motion. I can always remember my dad saying he was lucky seeing people like George Best and Jimmy Johnstone. When it comes to snooker players, my kids are lucky to watch somebody like Xintong, because he is an absolute genius.

“I felt really, really good, but I just couldn’t pot the long balls. I was then getting down thinking I’ve got to get them, or else he’s going to punish me.

“It was a joy to watch, even though I was on the receiving end. I think he’ll be the man to beat at the World Championship.

Higgins controlled the opening two frames, but Zhao responded with breaks of 62 and 61 to make it 2-2 at the mid-session interval.

Although the four-time World champion regained the lead with 83, the reigning Crucible king hit back and had a chance at a maximum break in frame seven, breaking down on 81.

It was still enough to put him ahead for the first time, but Higgins replied with 90 to square things up at the end of the afternoon session at four-all.

Zhao, who had trailed 5-2 against Elliot Slessor in the opening round, hit breaks of 88 and 83, but found himself 7-6 behind when Higgins cleared with 43 to pinch frame 13 on the black after he missed the penultimate red.

Both players had generally struggled to build momentum during the evening session, though that all changed after the Cyclone pulled himself for a fifth time at 7-7.

Higgins could only watch and admire as Zhao clicked into gear, scoring 336 unanswered points with contributions of 104, 126 and 92 helping him sprint over the line.