Ronnie O’Sullivan and Zhao Xintong ended their first session of the World Championship semi-final tied at 4-4 after an exciting and high-quality battle on Thursday. Zhao, surprising many with his performance in Sheffield, started off stronger.
The 28-year-old from China, playing as an amateur this season after coming back from suspension, looked confident despite it being his first time on the Crucible’s single-table stage. He quickly took a 2-0 lead with calm breaks of 60 and 62, showing his impressive natural skill.
O’Sullivan, known for his fighting spirit, played in a record 14th World Championship semi-final and showed his usual sharpness. The seven-time world champion hit three straight half-century breaks to take a 3-2 lead. After that, both players kept trading wins. Zhao stayed focused and made a brilliant 86 break, including a great black down the right side, to tie the match 4-4 before play continues on Friday morning at 10:00 BST.
The match between O’Sullivan and Zhao, played over 33 frames, will continue in four sessions, with both aiming for a spot in the final.
O’Sullivan is hoping to win his record eighth Crucible title, which would strengthen his claim as the best modern snooker player. Meanwhile, Zhao is trying to achieve one of the greatest comeback stories in snooker history.
In the other semi-final, Mark Williams, a three-time champion, will face 2019 winner Judd Trump, with their match starting later at 19:00 BST.
