REIGNING World Champion Zhao Xintong cruised into the last 16 of the UK Championship after defeating debutant Long Zehuang 6-1 at York Barbican.
After opening his account with a 107 break, Zhao was two balls away from a 6-0 victory before qualifier Long, 54th in the world rankings, fought back from 52-0 down to take the sixth frame with a perhaps fluke pot on the pink.
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However, he quickly wrapped up victory, taking the seventh frame with ease to set up a last 16 clash against the winner of the evening match between Gary Wilson and Zhang Anda.
Zhao made breaks of 107, 68, 51, 59, 52 and 72 in the match, certainly leaving him as one to watch as the competition progresses, and, talking to the BBC, he stressed: “I think that I can get better.
“When I play with Judd Trump, Kyren [Wilson], the top end players, they will give more pressure and more of a test for me. I think that’s very important.
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“I just try to learn and enjoy that.”
Zhao announced himself to the snooker world when he beat Luca Brecel to win the UK Championship in the city in 2021, and he reflected: “That was a good memory because it was my first Championship here and it’s my lucky place.
“Now I’ve just started, I’ve not finished, so I can get better in the future in every area.”
Things were far tighter in the match between Ding Junhui and Xu Si, which the former eventually won 6-4.
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Ding, a three-time winner in York, built up a 3-1 lead before the fifth frame went to a re-spotted black.
Xu opted for Ding to go first; he missed it and left a chance only for Xu to then fail in his attempt. However, Ding then left an opportunity for Xu into the right baulk pocket, and he converted to close the gap.
However it was Ding who held his nerve to see out victory, and he will next face either former world number one Mark Allen or Scott Donaldson.
