Stephen Hendry fancies a ‘very big season’ ahead for Zhao Xintong, with the 2025 Crucible king no longer under the pressure of being world champ.
The 29-year-old had a brilliant 2025/26 season, winning three big ranking titles and an invitational one on top of that.
He was widely tipped to break the Crucible curse and retain the World Championship title he won for the first time in 2025, such was the level of his play ahead of Sheffield.
However, he was denied in the quarter-finals by Shaun Murphy to see a brilliant campaign end in disappointment.
Hendry reckons he will be back and better than ever in the new season, though, uninhibited by the pressure of being world champion and free to cause destruction on the World Snooker Tour.
‘I tend to think Xintong will dominate this season,’ Hendry said on WST’s Snooker Club podcast. ‘I think he’s got the monkey off his back from being defending world champion and I think he’ll just chill out.’
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The seven-time world champion also expects plenty from the current world champion Wu Yize, but fancies the man he dethroned to shine brightest.
‘To be fair, I think him and Wu Yize will have big seasons,’ said the Scot. ‘Wu Yize might start off a little bit slowly with the world champion expectations. I think Xintong will have a very big season.’
The continuing rise towards dominance of Chinese snooker has seen the last two world champions hail from the country and there may well be more to come.
Hendry really likes the look of 23-year-old Chang Bingyu, who he fancies will win his first professional tournament this season.
‘I’m going to stick with Chang Bingyu, I think he will win this season,’ he said of his tip for a breakout star this campaign.
‘Another face…I think Luca Brecel might come back this season. Who knows with Luca because he’s completely different to anyone on tour.
‘That could be more of a comeback than a breakout but Chang Bingyu has got something a bit special and I think he’ll definitely win this season.’
Murphy is well aware of the talent of Chang after losing 4-0 to him at last season’s Welsh Open with the youngster finishing the game with 100 per cent pot success.
This year’s Crucible runner-up expects more success from him, but also another Chinese player who he believes is still to reach his full potential.
28-year-old Zhou Yuelong has been lurking just outside the world’s top 16 for years, reaching four ranking finals without winning one, but Murphy reckons his time is still to come.
‘Many, many years ago I tipped Zhou Yuelong to go and become a world-beater when he first came on the scene 10 or more years ago,’ said the Magician. ‘I remember him coming and thinking, jeez this lad’s got everything. His technique, his shot selection, his composure round the table, everything seemed world class.
‘That hasn’t gone on and it hasn’t come to fruition yet, but I use the word ‘yet’ because people bloom at different stages of their life. I think Zhou Yuelong has still got more to give.’