World Snooker Championship Final: Zhao Xintong makes flying start against Mark Williams

 China’s Zhao aiming to become his country’s first winner in two-day final at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre

Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong pose at the start of the final in Sheffield

Zhao Xintong made a composed start to the World Snooker Championship final on Sunday as he chased China’s first crown against Mark Williams, who was aiming to become the oldest winner at the age of 50.

Williams is already the oldest finalist, while Zhao, 28, is the youngest in 14 years, having never previously gone past the last 16.

He had to play four extra qualifying rounds, as he climbs back up the rankings following a ban for his role in a betting scandal, but Zhao then cruised through the draw at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

And he was serene in taking Sunday’s opening frame, racking up 141 points to 0, including a 77 break. He then made a nerveless century to go 2-0 up before coming from behind to pinch the third frame. Williams edged the fourth.

Zhao Xintong greets fans as he enters the Crucible for the final.

“I know it’s the second time for a Chinese player,” Zhao said earlier on Sunday as he prepared to emulate Ding Junhui, who reached the decider in 2016 only to lose to Mark Selby.

“I’m so proud of myself. Hopefully there will be more times, but I just want to catch this time.”

His fellow left-hander Williams had outlasted world No 1 and Hong Kong resident Judd Trump 17-14 in the semi-finals late on Saturday to book his place, after Zhao routed seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan the previous night.

The Welsh veteran said he was looking forward to tackling the dazzling Zhao over the best of 35 frames, with the winner to collect £500,000 (US$664,000) when the final concludes on Monday.

“I played him in an exhibition in China when he was about 12,” the world No 6 said, adding that the youngster knocked in two century breaks to beat him. “Here we are 16 years later and I am playing him in the world final.”

His three previous global titles had already put Williams among the greats, but it is 25 years since his first and he had arrived in Sheffield pessimistic about his chances, citing his fading eyesight.

Mark Williams celebrates beating Judd Trump at the Crucible Theatre on Saturday

That did not stop him rolling back the years to deservedly see off the strongly fancied Trump, who during the championship had set a new record for the number of century breaks recorded in a season, with 107.

“In the last few tournaments I was struggling,” he said. “I practised four or five hours a day with [coach] Lee Walker, with and without contact lenses. I left the decision to Lee whether I should keep them in, and he felt I play better without them.”