China’s Zhao Xintong claimed his first Tour Championship title in Manchester, thrashing world number one Judd Trump 10-3. Zhao’s success also meant he was the first ever player to win all three events in the Players Series in the same season. The BBC reported that Zhao had already triumphed in both the World Grand Prix and Players Championship in February.
Zhao’s Dominance a Warning to Rivals
With just 13 days until the start of the World Championship, Zhao’s manner of victory sent out an ominous warning to those with aspirations of dethroning him at the Crucible. 24 hours after demolishing John Higgins 10-1, Trump fared little better.
Trump fought back from 2-0 down to 2-2 and then took what appeared to be a pivotal eighth frame to raise the prospect of a thrilling finale. This was after Zhao had compiled breaks of 91 and 98 in consecutive frames.
Zhao’s dominance ensured that a thrilling finale never materialised against a player he is homing in on at the top of the world rankings. He is now ranked fourth, after this trophy-laden campaign which saw him win his fourth title.
Trump Acknowledges Zhao’s Superiority
Trump admitted Zhao is a great player who is going to be around for a long time. He said that it is up to him and a few of the other players to start playing well against him otherwise he’s going to end his career with 100 tournaments or something like that.
Trump added that Zhao has been the best player in the world over the past two months. He thinks Zhao is amazing for the game, so he always enjoys the challenge.
Trump, whose highest break of 61 arrived in the third frame, has bemoaned the condition of his cue tip in previous rounds and pointedly stared at it on several occasions after failing to dispatch routine pots. He had opportunities in four of the five evening frames, but a missed black off the spot in the final frame typified an error-strewn display.
Zhao Seals the Victory
Just like in the first, fifth and sixth frames, Zhao ruthlessly won the final frame. He applied the coup de grace with his sixth half century of the match.
Trump said he was disappointed he couldn’t perform. He added that he’d have been better off using the spider under the table and that it was his own fault for turning up with that tip.
The result meant the 29-year-old banked the £150,000 top prize and became only the third player to win in excess of £1m in a single season, after Ronnie O’Sullivan and Trump.