TELFORD, England — In a stunning display of break-building prowess and unflappable nerve, China’s Zhao Xintong produced a masterclass to defeat the legendary John Higgins 10-7 and claim the 2024 Players Championship title at the Telford International Centre. Trailing 6-7, the 26-year-old known as ‘The Cyclone’ unleashed a breathtaking barrage of scoring, winning the final four frames in succession to capture his third career ranking crown and a winner’s cheque of £125,000.
The final pitted one of snooker’s most decorated veterans against its most thrilling young talent. Higgins, a four-time world champion with 31 ranking titles to his name, sought to add another trophy to his storied career. Zhao, the 2021 UK Champion, aimed to reaffirm his status as the sport’s most explosive force. What unfolded was a high-quality, tense affair that ultimately swung on Zhao’s fearless, attacking philosophy.
A Battle of Styles and Generations
The match began as a tactical chess match, with Higgins using all his experience to contain Zhao’s natural flair. The first session ended finely poised at 4-4, with both players trading frames. Higgins, ever the competitor, managed to edge ahead in the evening, moving to a 7-6 lead. At that critical juncture, the momentum seemed to be with the Scot, who appeared to be grinding down his younger opponent with tactical acumen and relentless safety play.
However, the turning point came in frame fourteen. With Higgins in prime position to extend his lead to 8-6, a missed red opened the door. Zhao, seizing the opportunity with both hands, compiled a magnificent century break of 107 to level the match at 7-7. The break was more than just a frame-winner; it was a statement of intent. The confidence visibly flooded back into Zhao’s game, while Higgins was left to ponder a crucial missed chance.
The Genius Unleashed: A Four-Frame Blitz
What followed was a breathtaking exhibition of break-building that left the audience in awe and Higgins rooted to his seat. Zhao shifted into a gear few players on the planet can access. Frame fifteen was secured with a run of 74. Frame sixteen saw him compile a flawless 120 clearance, his second century of the match. The one-visit snooker continued in frame seventeen with a decisive 90, bringing him to the brink of victory at 9-7.
The final frame was a formality. A long red set the tone, and Zhao, with the winning line in sight, navigated the table with serene confidence. A break of 71 was enough to seal a famous 10-7 victory, capping a run where he won four consecutive frames in little over an hour, scoring 365 points without reply from 7-7 onwards. It was a devastating closing performance.
Key Moments in Zhao's Victory
The match was defined by several pivotal shifts:
• The Century to Level (7-7): His 107 break under maximum pressure completely altered the psychological landscape of the final.
• Tactical Resilience: Zhao showed improved safety play, often escaping from Higgins's tactical traps to create his own opportunities.
• Flawless Cueing: In the final frames, his long potting was exceptional and his positional play was precise, allowing for seamless break construction.
Champion and Challenger React
An emotional Zhao Xintong lifted the trophy, dedicating the win to his supporters. In his post-match interview, he reflected on the challenge of facing a legend. "To beat John Higgins in a final is a dream for me. He is one of the greatest players, a true legend. At 7-6 down, I just tried to play my game, be positive, and make breaks. I am so happy I could do it," said the new champion.
For Higgins, it was a familiar feeling of being overpowered by a younger, attacking force—a scenario he has faced before in finals against the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump. Ever gracious in defeat, the 48-year-old praised Zhao’s extraordinary talent. "From 7-7, he was unbelievable. I barely got a shot. That’s the genius of Zhao Xintong. When he plays like that, he’s almost unplayable. He potted balls that were incredible and his cue action is so pure. He was the better player and deserved to win," Higgins stated.
The victory is a significant milestone in Zhao’s career. After a period of inconsistency following his breakthrough UK Championship win, this title signals a powerful return to form. It moves him back into the world’s top 16 and establishes him as a major threat heading into the season’s climax, the World Championship in Sheffield. The win also reinforces China’s growing dominance in the sport, with Zhao joining the ranks of Ding Junhui as a multiple ranking event winner.
A Statement Win for the Future
The 2024 Players Championship will be remembered as the tournament where Zhao Xintong announced his return to the pinnacle of snooker. Beating a player of Higgins’s caliber, in the manner he did, sends a clear message to the rest of the tour. It wasn't just a win; it was a demonstration of a unique, attacking style executed at its highest level under intense pressure. While Higgins’s tactical mastery won him many frames, Zhao’s sheer scoring power won the day.
As the snooker world turns its eyes to the Crucible Theatre, Zhao Xintong has catapulted himself into the conversation as a potential world champion. His performance in Telford proved he possesses not only the "genius" shot-making ability that Higgins referenced but also the mental fortitude to go with it. For John Higgins, the search for a first ranking title since 2021 continues, but he was magnanimous in defeat, acknowledging that he was simply outplayed by a special talent entering his prime.
