Zhao Xintong beats Mark Williams to win World Snooker Championship

Zhao Xintong of China defeated three-time world champion Mark Williams of Wales 18-12 in the final at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, England, on Monday, becoming the first Chinese and Asian player to win the tournament.

Having finished the third season with an advantage of 17-8, Zhao was one frame away from winning the title, but he faced fierce resistance from Williams. The 50-year-old fired a century to claim the 26th frame and then took another three straight rounds to cut his deficit to 17-12.

Zhao bounced back in the 30th frame and sealed the deal with a break of 87. He shot two centuries of 100 and 104 as well as 11 half-century breaks during the whole match.

"I can't believe it. I am so happy," Zhao said after victory. "It feels like a dream right now. I can't believe it's come true. I can't believe what I've done this month. It's been really exciting."

"What a potter he is," Williams said of Zhao. "I'm glad I'll be too old when he's dominating. I've got nothing but admiration for what he's done. He's come through the qualifiers and bashed Ronnie up, bashed me up. Bashed everyone up. There's a new superstar of the game and it's him."