Snooker: Zhao Xintong beats John Higgins 10-7 to win Players Championship

The Chinese world champion Zhao Xintong produced a commanding finish to beat John Higgins 10-7 in the Players Championship final in Telford, a result that further solidifies Zhao's standing in snooker. The 28-year-old sealed a second straight ranking title and added to a season that already included triumph at the World Grand Prix earlier this month.

Snooker finish in Telford: Zhao closes out Higgins with four straight frames

Zhao Xintong moved from being 7-6 down to winning four consecutive frames to clinch the match 10-7 and lift the Players Championship trophy. The turnaround followed a tight contest for much of the match, with Zhao producing what commentators called a commanding finish as he took control late and saw out the victory with apparent ease.

Early momentum swings: Higgins led, then Zhao edged ahead at 4-3

The first session featured multiple shifts in control. John Higgins opened with a 2-0 lead before Zhao drew level. Zhao then went ahead for the first time to lead 4-3, only for Higgins to respond by taking the next frame with a score of 90 to even the contest. The pair continued to trade frames into the evening session before Zhao seized the initiative.

Centuries and decisive scoring: successive centuries and a fifth century to seal it

Zhao broke the match open from 7-6 down with successive century breaks as he moved into the lead. He hit a fifth century to seal what was described as a "ridiculously easy" final win, and commentators hailed the performance as a "virtuoso display of snooker. " Those high breaks underpinned Zhao's late burst that turned a close contest into a routine finish.

Run of form and records: fifth ranking event and a rare finals streak

The 28-year-old's victory takes his tally to five ranking event wins overall and represents back-to-back ranking titles for Zhao, following his triumph at the World Grand Prix earlier this month. By winning, he became the fourth player to win all of his first five ranking finals, a run previously achieved by Steve Davis, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson.

Higgins reaction and what the result denied him

John Higgins, a four-time world champion, praised Zhao after the match. "I'm sure my kids are lucky that they've watched somebody like Xintong because he is an absolute genius, " said Scotland's Higgins. 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. " Higgins, who is 50, was denied becoming the oldest winner of a ranking event by Zhao's victory.

Earlier in the month, Zhao's run also featured an unforgettable moment at the World Grand Prix: observers were invited to relive an incredible first frame between Wakelin and Zhao in that event, a highlight on the path to his recent success.