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World champion Zhao Xintong lands first tile of the season

HONG KONG, CHINA - FEBRUARY 08: Zhao Xintong of China poses with champion trophy after winning the Final match against Zhang Anda of China on day 6 of the World Grand Prix 2026 at Kai Tak Arena on February 8, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Tai Chengz
Zhao Xintong of will be looking to break the Crucible curse in early May

Zhao Xintong made five century breaks as he earned a 10-6 win over Zhang Anda in the World Grand Prix final.

Victory is Zhao's first ranking title of the season and comes two months before he defends his World Championship title at the Crucible.

An all-Chinese final saw the score locked at 4-4 in the first session, where Zhao fell just short of scoring a maximum in the seventh frame – hitting 145 – and recorded a 130 break, while Zhang hit four breaks over 50 to claim four frames.

Zhao pulled away in the evening session, clinching two successive frames and with a 7-6 lead, the world champion won three straight frames, firing breaks of 134 and 131 to wrap up the title.

Zhao now has four ranking titles and has moved up one spot in the world rankings into seventh.

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