Zhao Xintong believes he is a better player now than he was before his ban from snooker, but is still surprised to be in a World Snooker Championship semi-final.
The 28-year-old is into the final four at the Crucible after a 13-5 win over Chris Wakelin in the quarters, which followed victories over Jak Jones and Lei Peifan in the opening two rounds.
Zhao had to win four qualifying matches just to reach the Crucible, beating Cheung Ka Wai, Long Zehuang, Lyu Haotian and Elliot Slessor at the English Institute of Sport.
This all comes after Zhao returned from a 20-month ban from the sport for ‘being concerned in fixing matches’ and betting on snooker.
The Chinese star romped through the amateur game after his return in September, quickly winning his place back on the professional tour and returning to the Crucible at the earliest opportunity.
He was ranked number nine in the world when he was suspended from snooker and a former winner of the UK Championship and German Masters.
There was little doubt that he would return to professional snooker, but it is a remarkable burst to the World Championship semi-final, having only ever won one game at the Crucible in the past.
‘I trusted that I can come back, but I’m really happy because I’ve come back to the semi-final so quickly,’ he said after beating Wakelin. ‘I think it’s a surprise for me. I’m not really ready, I had one year not playing competition.’
Asked if he is now a better player than before his ban, he said: ‘I think I’m stronger than before because it’s two years later, I think I’m stronger.
‘Seriously I’m surprised because long time not playing, I played the qualifiers at the UK Championship and World Championship. That was big pressure for the first match because I know I need to win and be stronger. It’s very different, so not like before. But I won again, I feel well now.
‘This tournament and this month made me stronger. I had a few months not playing competition, so I’m really happy to come back to tournaments. I’ve played really well till now. It can make me stronger and get more experience.’
Zhao did admit to be feeling the strain of so much snooker over the last month, winning seven lengthy matches to reach the semis.
‘I played like 22 days till now, played the qualifiers, four matches and now three more, best of 19 and more,’ he said. ‘I feel a little bit mentally tired.
‘But I know it’s [an] interesting thing at the Crucible and I think it will make me stronger.’
Zhao will take on either Ronnie O’Sullivan or Si Jiahui in the semi-final, which will start on Thursday afternoon.
He has described the Rocket as his ‘idol’ and has even worked with the seven-time world champion on the table, with O’Sullivan fulfilling something of a mentor role for him in the past.
Si and Zhao have been practice partners at the same academy in Sheffield so will know each other well if that is the contest to come at the Crucible.