The second-round World Championship match between Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui is anticipated to attract a huge Chinese audience, potentially becoming the most-watched snooker match in history.

A Clash of Generations

This highly anticipated clash carries significant weight for both players and the future of snooker in China and globally. It represents the past and present of Chinese snooker, with Ding Junhui having paved the way for Zhao Xintong’s success.

Zhao Xintong's Historic Win

Zhao Xintong made history last year by becoming the first Chinese player to win the World Championship. He defeated Mark Williams 18-12 in the final, captivating a massive Chinese audience.

Record-Breaking Viewership

The third session of that final drew 24.59 million unique viewers in China, and the entire tournament amassed 180 million viewers on CCTV5. This surpassed the 18.5 million who watched the 1985 black-ball final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis.

Ding Junhui: The Pioneer

Ding Junhui is often called the ‘godfather’ of Chinese snooker, having driven the sport’s growth in China over the past two decades. His early successes, including winning the 2005 China Open and the UK Championship, inspired a generation of players.

Building on a Legacy

Although he lost the 2014 World Championship final to Mark Selby, Ding Junhui’s impact on popularizing snooker in China is undeniable. Zhao Xintong’s win has further ignited enthusiasm for the sport.

A Growing Global Audience

Jason Ferguson, chairman of the WPBSA, notes that snooker is now the most-watched sport on China Central Television. He anticipates ‘hundreds of millions’ of viewers for the Zhao versus Ding match, potentially exceeding all previous records.

The Future of Snooker in China

Ferguson attributes the surge in popularity to Zhao’s personality and the impact of his World Championship win. Projections suggest that a majority of the world’s top 16 players will be from China within the next decade.

The Crucible Curse and a Debt of Gratitude

Zhao Xintong is attempting to overcome the ‘Crucible Curse’ – the difficulty for first-time World Champions to defend their title. He acknowledges the debt of gratitude he and other Chinese players owe to Ding Junhui, stating, ‘Without Ding, none of us would be playing snooker. He is a legend.’

Match Status

The match has begun, with the first session ending in a 4-4 draw. The best-of-25 frame encounter promises further excitement, and the winner will face Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals.