The second-round World Championship match between Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui is expected to become the most-watched snooker event in history. This highly anticipated contest holds significant importance for both players and the sport’s future growth in China and worldwide.

Zhao Xintong's Historic Victory

Last year, Zhao Xintong made history as the first Chinese player to win the World Championship. He defeated Mark Williams in the final with a decisive 18-12 victory, captivating a large Chinese audience. The third session of the final attracted 24.59 million unique viewers in China, and the entire tournament reached a staggering 180 million viewers on CCTV5.

A New Era of Viewership

These viewership numbers surpass even the iconic 1985 black-ball final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis, which peaked at 18.5 million viewers in the UK. This demonstrates the remarkable growth of snooker in China and the impact of Zhao’s historic win. The potential for record-breaking viewership in the Zhao versus Ding match is substantial.

Ding Junhui: The 'Godfather' of Chinese Snooker

Ding Junhui is considered a pioneer of Chinese snooker and is revered as the ‘godfather’ of the sport in China. His early successes were crucial in sparking the nation’s passion for snooker. Before Ding’s breakthrough, snooker was relatively unknown in China.

Early Successes and National Impact

Ding Junhui’s victory at the 2005 China Open, at the age of 18, against Stephen Hendry, propelled him to stardom. He followed this with a win at the UK Championship, defeating Steve Davis. Although he reached the World Championship final in 2014, losing to Mark Selby, his impact on Chinese snooker was already significant.

Growth and Future of Snooker in China

Jason Ferguson, chairman of the WPBSA, notes that snooker has become the most-watched sport on China Central Television. He attributes this to Zhao Xintong’s charisma and his World Championship win. Ferguson predicts the Zhao-Ding match could attract ‘hundreds of millions’ of viewers in China.

Expanding Presence in the Far East

The future of snooker is increasingly linked to China, with a record 11 players competing at the Crucible this year. The upcoming season will include seven tournaments in the Far East, including the return of the China Open. Experts predict that within a decade, most of the world’s top 16 players will be from China, where snooker is now part of the school curriculum.

A Legacy and a Challenge

Zhao Xintong acknowledges Ding Junhui’s influence, stating, ‘Without Ding, none of us would be playing snooker. He is a legend.’ Zhao is also attempting to overcome the ‘Crucible Curse’ – the difficulty for first-time World Champions to defend their title. The match is currently tied at 4-4 after the first session, promising an exciting continuation.

This encounter is more than just a snooker match; it’s a celebration of the sport’s growth in China, a tribute to Ding Junhui’s legacy, and a showcase of Zhao Xintong’s talent. The world will be watching to see who emerges victorious and potentially breaks viewership records.