Snooker WC: China's super-match ends with apprentice victorious and Crucible curse defied

You would easily think that the heavyweight bout between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins would be the most anticipated match of the 2nd round at the World Snooker Championship. However, in terms of viewing figures the Chinese affair between reigning World Champion Zhao Xintong and Ding Junhui surely takes the cake.

The duo enjoyes superstar status in their home country, with tens of millions holding their breath watching their two legendary exports go head-to-head. Just last year 25 million people in China tuned in to see Zhao take his maiden world title in the final against Mark Williams.

According to national broadcaster CCTV5, 180 million people watched the 2025 Snooker World Championships. Now China's super-match might have been the most viewed snooker match of all time!

The fabled Crucible curse didn't phase reigning champ Zhao in the match. The last 20 first-time World Champions have failed in their quest to defend their title, but there were no signs of dark forces in Sheffield today as Ding was defeated after a valiant effort 13-9.

The match was a tightly contested affair between master and apprentice, with Zhao naturally naming Ding as his biggest idol growing up. However nowadays the tables have turned, and the title-holder finally took control of the match when he raced to an 8-5 lead after the scores remained deadlocked until 5-5.

Ding still fought back in the final session, clawing the lead to just 1 frame at 9-8 after a marathon 46-minute frame. Zhao remained unphased though, and took 4 out of the next 5 frames to secure victory. Next up for Zhao is a quarter-final date against 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy, who will attempt to defend the honour of the Crucible curse.

- I couldn't enjoy this. Last year I was just another player, who could lose without too much shame. Now I'm the reigning champion and I don't want to lose, I can feel the pressure mounting. Hopefully I can do better in the next round, Zhao told WST post-match.

- Shaun Murphy is a very good attacking player, hopefully we will have a good game. Tell him no safeties! All out attack, the title-holder hyped up the quarter-final.

For Ding the defeat surely stings, even though he probably expected it a bit and is happy to see his compatriot advance. Junhui became a bona fide superstar in China at just 18 when he defeated the legendary Stephen Hendry at the China Open final in 2005, but the last few years have been difficult for the godfather of Chinese snooker, who hasn't gone further than the 2nd round at the Crucible since 2018.

Below you can find the schedule, scores and results of the 2nd round at the Snooker World Championship 2026.






Sources: WST
Express