ZHAO WOWS AS HE LIFTS UK CROWN
ZHAO XINTONG raised the roof to win the UK Championship – after almost being homeless on eve of the final.
Whizkid Zhao faced a mad dash to find a room the night before the biggest match of his blossoming career.
The ‘Cyclone’ avoided the cutting wind of a York night as a World Snooker Tour official sorted out an apartment at the 11th hour.
And the 24-year-old Chinese sensation blew away Belgian Bullet Luca Brecel 10-5 at the Barbican to become snooker’s newest Triple Crown World, UK Championship or Masters – champion.
Veteran and pundit Jimmy White said: “I was in the events office and received a phone call at 11pm last night trying to find a hotel for Zhao. He was panicking a little bit but she managed to get him into a room.”
Record seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan labelled Zhao the “Roger Federer of snooker” with the way he “floats around the table”.
And the promising youngster lived up to the hype as he landed one of snooker’s majors in emphatic style.
Zhao, who banked a huge £200,000, said: “I’m just so happy to win a big title like this.
“It’s a dream come true for me to win such a big trophy.
“I will celebrate with some karaoke and vodka. I will sing ‘We Are The Champions’ with my friends in Sheffield.”
Zhao secured a dream debut at next month’s iconic Masters, where he will face John Higgins.
He became the second Chinese winner of the illustrious trophy after hero Ding Junhui, the three-time champion.
Gutted Brecel said: “He’s just unbeatable. I had a game plan but he potted everything.”
Scott Donaldson is desperate to turn his sorry season around at this week’s relocated Scottish Open.
He has suffered a torrid run this term, winning just three matches.
And Donaldson, beaten 6-1 in the first round of the UK Championship by Farakh Ajaib, hopes for a change of luck this week.
He said: “I’m just not playing that well, regardless of who I’m playing. I’m just struggling with my game. I’ve had it before, it will happen again.”
Donaldson takes on Steven Hallworth in the last 64 at Llandudno in Wales, the venue switched from Glasgow’s Emirates.