Meet the red-hot Chinese prodigy who conquered two snooker world champions in three days

For China's snooker phenom Zhou Yuelong, Australian legend Neil Robertson proved to be his ultimate nemesis. The formidable Robertson, a 23-time ranking event champion, flaunted his supremacy over Zhou on multiple occasions. In the semifinals of the 2020 UK Championship, Robertson dispatched Zhou comfortably with a  6-2 victory and went on to clinch the title in thrilling fashion.

However, it was during the 2020 European Masters final that the encounter between the two players etched itself into snooker history. In a jaw-dropping display of mastery, Robertson delivered an infamous one-sided affair, inflicting a devastating 9-0 defeat upon Zhou. This astonishing whitewash marked only the second occurrence of such a comprehensive loss in a two-session ranking tournament final.

The experience was unequivocally a humbling one for Zhou, a stark reminder of the harsh realities and unforgiving nature of competing in the elite realm of sports. It was from this profound humiliation that the then 22-year-old learned firsthand the cruelties and demands of competitive sports at the highest level.

Fast forward three years, and Zhou found himself once again crossing paths with Robertson, but this time the tables had turned. The stage was set in the last 32 of the UK Championship on November 28, and Zhou was determined to rewrite history.

In a scintillating opening, Zhou compiled breaks of 80, 50, and an exceptional 134, with Robertson managing to steal the second frame along the way. However, Robertson retaliated with his own magnificent break of 135, leveling the match at 2-2.

The pivotal moment came in the fifth frame, as a glaring miss from Robertson proved to be a crucial mistake. Zhou capitalized on the opportunity, seizing the frame with a composed break of 67. From that point forward, Zhou's performance was nothing short of dazzling. He continued to shine with breaks of 99, 136, and 74, sealing his victory in style.

This triumph was momentous not only for Zhou but also for the snooker world. It marked his first-ever win over the legendary Robertson, putting an end to the Australian's extraordinary 16-year streak of winning a professional title each calendar year. 

The excitement didn't cease there. On Thursday night, Zhou achieved his second major triumph in three days at the UK Championship, knocking out four-time world champion John Higgins 6-3 in the last 16. Admittedly, Higgins was far from his best, with his notable highlights being consecutive breaks of 72 and 76. Overall, the veteran Scotsman's performance fell short of expectations.

On the other hand, Zhou's brilliance wasn't as scorching as the display he put up against Robertson, but it proved to be more than enough. He exhibited his deftness with breaks of 65, 86, 52, and 63, propelling him into the prestigious last eight of the tournament.

The win held a profound significance for Zhou, who expressed his deep admiration for Higgins. "John Higgins is my favorite player and also my idol," beamed the 25-year-old. Zhou fondly recalled the days when he would watch Higgins play, finding immense joy in observing his style and technique on the snooker table. Having the opportunity to compete against his idol was a surreal experience for Zhou, and he cherished the chance to test his skills against someone he held in such high regard.

Looking ahead, Zhou's journey at the UK Championship continued to intensify as he will face the challenge of taking on world No.1 Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarterfinals. The seven-time UK champion secured his spot in the next round after a thrilling encounter with Robert Milkins, culminating in a dramatic final-frame decider earlier in the day.

Zhou's track record against Ronnie O'Sullivan paints a bleak picture, as he has yet to secure a victory in their four previous encounters, managing to win only two frames throughout. However, Zhou is a man transformed. His sensational wins over Robertson and Higgins have injected him with a newfound sense of confidence and resilience.

Armed with this renewed mindset, Zhou stands ready to show that he is more than capable of toppling yet another snooker icon.