After two weeks of action, the final of the 2025 Snooker World Championships is here and it’s a final that few would have predicted, as Mark Williams prepares takes on Zhao Xintong.
History is set to be on the line as Zhao will attempt to be the first Chinese player to be crowned World Champion whilst Williams will be aiming to become a World Champion for a fourth time. It is set to be a memorable occasion.
Set to last until Monday evening, here are some of the things to look out for.
The Odds
How did Zhao Xintong reach the final?
In what is expected to be a close encounter, the bookies have positioned Zhao as the favourite and you can see why he has been given the edge in the betting.
Having been cleared to compete following his involvement in snooker’s much publicised match fixing scandal, amazingly Zhao is competing at the Crucible as an amateur and won’t be termed as a professional until next season.
Due to his amateur status, Zhao’s run to the final has been long and arduous. Needing to come through several rounds of qualifying, the Chinese star was unseeded for actual qualifying and had to advance his way through four rounds before reaching the main draw proper.
As a result of all the matches that he has had to play, Zhao is on a sixteen match winning streak with his last defeat coming against Shaun Murphy at the 2024 UK Championship. It’s fair to say that he arrives bang in form.
The early exit of Kyren Wilson certainly made life easier for Zhao but even if Wilson had been an opponent in the second round, with the form that Zhao is in, few would have been surprised if he hadn’t been able to get the job done and advance past the 2024 World Champion.
After defeating 2024 World Champion finalist Jak Jones in the first round he then defeated compatriot Lei Piefan in the second round. Chris Wakelin was no match in the quarterfinals before he then faced Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semifinals.
By far Zhou’s toughest assignment of the tournament so far, the first session between the two ended 4-4, but from there it was all about the Chinese superstar.
Winning the next eight frames in succession 12-4, he held off a small fight back from the seven time World Champion and eventually got over the line 17-7.
Another former World Champion stands in his way this weekend, but Zhou will be confident he can land the biggest title in the game here.
How did Mark Williams reach the final?
Mark Williams won’t have any issues with resuming an underdog role - as it has been a role that has been familiar with throughout the duration of the tournament.
Heading into the World Championships woefully out of form the Welshman had only won two matches all year but he has turned that around at a venue he feels so comfortable in.
He warmed up for the final having already played a talented Chinese player in the shape of Vu Yize, he then advanced past the dangerous Hossein Vafaei before then saving his best for last.
Drawn against long time friend and rival, John Higgins. Williams looked to be on the cusp of victory with a 12-8 lead but could only look on as Higgins showed exactly why he is a four time champion, levelling the contest at 12-12.
With the match coming down to the blue, pink and black, it was Higgins who blinked first and Williams wouldn’t waste the opportunity that had come his way.
After the relief of beating Higgins, it certainly didn’t get any easier for Williams who then had the task of trying to stop world number one Judd Trump in his tracks.
With many believing that Williams may still be feeling the effects of his dramatic win over Higgins in the previous round, Williams would once again defy the critics as it would be him that would kick on with the pair tied at eight frames apiece.
Going onto lead 16-12, he stood on the brink of another final and with Trump giving him an opportunity, the Welshman made no mistake in booking his ticket.
This stands to be a huge test for Williams and whether he has the physical and mental fortitude to stand up to the challenge he is faced with remains a huge question mark. However, the one advantage he has over his Chinese opponent is experience and if he can keep it close and apply the pressure on Zhou it could be that his experience will win the day. Write off Williams at your peril.
Head to head
For those that like to look at head to head records, the tale of the tape between the two finalists certainly makes for interesting reading.
Remarkably the two first faced off against one another ten years ago when Zhao was just 18, and it isn’t surprising that through those first few meetings it was Williams who had the edge.
Playing each other four times in two years, Williams won the first four matchups, but since then it has been all change.
Zhao got his first win on the board in 2018 and then he repeated the trick at the German Masters in 2022. It’s been over three years since the pair faced off against one another and both will be confident of getting the job done this weekend.
Our prediction
Williams’ run to the final was a run that very few saw coming and having beaten both John Higgins and Judd Trump in the last two rounds, it’s fair to assume that he arrives at the final bang in confidence and in form, but this could be a game too far.
Ever since the start of the tournament the spotlight has been on Zhao and it’s fair to say he hasn’t disappointed. His win in the semifinal against Ronnie O’Sullivan was nothing short of mesmerising and the nature of his win has afforded him the opportunity to rest and mentally prepare ahead of his final assignment.
You feel that only nerves can get in his way, but with the long form of the match he is likely to keep them under wraps and we think will become China’s first ever World Champion.
Jonathan Ashby
Jonathan Ashby, at 35, boasts a deep well of knowledge about the world of snooker. A specialist with a passion for the game's history, techniques, and players, he provides invaluable insights to both novices and seasoned enthusiasts. Through his articles, Jonathan aims to share the rich tapestry and nuances of this beloved cue sport.
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