World champion Zhao Xintong claimed a commanding 5-2 victory over Neil Robertson to lift the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, securing his first trophy since his triumph at the Crucible Theatre in May. The 28-year-old Chinese star collected £250,000 for his success in Saudi Arabia, becoming the 11th different winner in 11 events on the professional snooker circuit this season.

Zhao’s Dominant Performance

The opening two frames of the final were closely contested, with Zhao and Robertson sharing them. However, Zhao soon found his rhythm, compiling brilliant breaks of 131 and 134 to reel off three consecutive frames and establish a commanding 4-1 lead.

Even though Robertson fought back with a 91 in the sixth frame, Zhao sealed victory in the seventh with a confident half-century clearance, demonstrating his composure on the big stage.

“I didn’t want Neil to know I was nervous,” Zhao said after the match. “I was looking forward to this final a lot because Neil is a very good player and someone I wanted to play. I am so happy now. It’s been amazing this week. It’s my first time in Saudi, and I could see a lot of people were here for me.”

Semi-Final Heroics

Zhao’s path to the final was equally dramatic. He edged past world number one Judd Trump in a thrilling 4-3 semi-final. After trailing 2-0 and 3-2, Zhao produced a stunning 138 break, the highest of the week, to overturn the deficit and book his place in the final. His composure under pressure highlighted why he is regarded as one of snooker’s rising stars.

Robertson’s Campaign

Neil Robertson, who has enjoyed a resurgence over the past 18 months, had aimed to become the first player this season to win multiple titles. The Australian reached the final after a 4-1 semi-final win over Mark Allen, including a superb 73 clearance in the fifth frame.

Robertson reflected on the final: “A few tired misses I suppose were quite costly against Zhao. I was well below the level I had shown in getting to the final and he punished me really well.”

Allen had come close to snatching a unique milestone during his semi-final, potting nine reds with blacks before missing on 72 while attempting a 147 maximum break. Had he completed it, he could have potted the 20-point golden ball for a historic 167 break and a $1 million (£763,000) bonus.

Zhao’s Rising Form

Zhao Xintong’s Riyadh victory reinforces his status as a leading contender on the professional snooker circuit. With his blend of scoring power and composure under pressure, Zhao has proven himself capable of taking on the world’s best players and delivering in high-stakes matches.

The Riyadh Season Snooker Championship concludes a week of intense competition and continues the trend of highly competitive and unpredictable events on the snooker calendar, with Zhao becoming the latest in a string of first-time winners this season.