China's Zhao Xintong crashes out at WPBSA Welsh Open

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China's Zhao Xintong bowed out of the WPBSA Welsh Open after going down fighting against well-known English player Stuart Bingham 5-2 in the quarter-finals on Friday. Zhao had shocked four-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round and moved to the last eight after defeating Switzerland's Alexander Ursenbacher.

The 21-year-old Chinese made a good start in his clash against Bingham, but the England veteran subsequently took the upper hand.

Earlier, Zhao played 92 breaks to take the first frame 129-0. But world No.12 Bingham clawed his way back into the game and took control of the proceedings. He played 134 breaks in the second frame to level the score at one apiece.

Stuart Bingham plays against Zhao Xintong during the match on February 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Bingham, nicknamed "big shark," took the next three frames to take an unassailable 4-1 lead, while Zhao could only manage to grab 23 points in total.

But Bingham made a mistake as he failed to sink the black into the pocket in the next frame.

Zhao made full use of the gifted chance and played 75 breaks to take the frame. As Bingham was leading 4-2, Zhao tried hard to save the match point in the seventh frame. But he faltered while leading 48-28.

Zhao continued to make more mistakes as he tried to attack more. An experienced Bingham kept his cool and didn't waste any chance. He eventually, cleared the table to win the decisive 7th frame 61-49 and oust Zhao Xintong to advance to the semi-finals.

Quarter-final results:

John Higgins 3-5 Joe O'Connor

Stuart Bingham 5-2 Zhao Xintong

Hossein Vafaei 5-1 Scott Donaldson

Neil Robertson 5-4 Kurt Maflin