Zhao Xintong’s classy backstage gesture with Ronnie O’Sullivan has been revealed after his semi-final win in the World Snooker Championship on Friday night.
Zhao delivered a dominant display at the Crucible to seal a 17-7 victory over seven-time world champion O’Sullivan in Friday’s evening session.
The 28-year-old has become only the second player from Asia to reach a World Snooker Championship final, nine years after Ding Junhui finished runner-up to Mark Selby in 2016.
After winning the frame which secured his place in Sunday’s final, Zhao shared a few words with O’Sullivan before he urged the Crucible crowd to show their appreciation for The Rocket.
‘I know we’ve got a really nice relationship, I’m always trying to help him if I can,’ O’Sullivan said of Zhao after his semi-final defeat.
‘He wanted the crowd to give me a clap at the end but it was Zhao’s moment, I tried to get off as quickly as I could because it was his moment to enjoy.’
Victoria Snooker Academy, the Sheffield base where Zhao and several other Chinese players practice, also revealed that the 28-year-old immediately went to O’Sullivan’s dressing room to thank him again for his help and support over the years.
Zhao, who has idolised O’Sullivan since he took up the sport, admitted after the match that he wanted The Rocket to win in order to secure a record eighth world title at the Crucible.
‘I can’t believe that. I need to say thank you to Ronnie because he has helped me a lot before. He’s my idol,’ Zhao said.
‘I’ve just tried to enjoy the Crucible. It’s an amazing time for me and I just want to enjoy it because I don’t know how many times it can happen here.
‘I’ve played here and sometimes the crowd is helpful for Ronnie and he deserves that. He is a legend here so I needed to control myself.
‘To be honest I didn’t want to win this time because I wanted to see him win his eighth here.
‘But I won and I know I needed to play well because before the match I didn’t think I could win.
‘I know he’s a legend and everyone wanted him to win this tournament and I could feel that.’
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan believes either Judd Trump or Mark Williams will provide a ‘proper test’ for Zhao in the final.
‘I think it would be amazing [if Zhao wins the tournament]. If he did, he’d be a megastar, he’s very big in China as it is,’ O’Sullivan said.
‘But if he becomes the world champion, it would be unbelievable. It would just be amazing for snooker and for his life as well.
‘He can definitely get over the line, but I think he’ll have more of a test against the other two guys in the semis.
‘I think that’ll be a proper test for him.’
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