Snooker: 'Genius' Zhao Xintong beats John Higgins to win Players Championship

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 22, 2026 6:40 PM ET

Snooker: 'Genius' Zhao Xintong beats John Higgins to win Players Championship

Zhao Xintong beat John Higgins 10-7 to win the Players Championship in Telford, a finish that underlined his rapid run of success and further reshaped the snooker landscape. The 28-year-old's victory — his fifth ranking title and his second straight ranking win — also prevented Higgins from becoming the oldest ranking-event winner at age 50.

Snooker final in Telford ends 10-7 after four straight frames

Zhao Xintong produced a commanding finish to beat John Higgins 10-7 and win the Players Championship in Telford. With little between the pair throughout a close encounter, the Chinese world champion took control having been 7-6 down, then won four straight frames to clinch the match and the title, seeing out the match with ease.

First-session swings and century runs decided the contest

In a first session marked by multiple momentum shifts, Higgins opened up a 2-0 lead before Zhao drew level. Zhao went ahead for the first time to lead 4-3, but Higgins then won the next frame with a score of 90 to even the contest. The pair continued to trade frames into the evening session before Zhao took control with successive centuries from 7-6 down as he went into the lead.

Five ranking wins, a World Grand Prix follow-up and rare early-final streak

The 28-year-old's victory follows his triumph at the World Grand Prix earlier this month and gives Zhao five ranking-event wins in total. He becomes the fourth player to win all of his first five ranking finals, joining Steve Davis, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson in that distinction.

Higgins reaction and a missed shot at history

Zhao's win prevented four-time world champion John Higgins from becoming the oldest winner of a ranking event at the age of 50. Scotland's Higgins praised his opponent, saying, "I'm sure my kids are lucky that they've watched somebody like Xintong because he is an absolute genius. " He added: "The last three frames there it was absolutely poetry in motion. I think he'll be the man to beat at the World Championship this year. "

Other recent results and high-profile praise in the game

Elsewhere in the tournament sphere, Yuan sinks world No. 1 Trump in Hong Kong upset. And Ronnie O'Sullivan heaped praise on Wu, saying, "This kid is really special, " and referring to a future "world champion" Wu.