World Snooker Championship 2025: Zhao and Williams Set for Final Showdown
The energy in Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre is hard to match anywhere else in the sporting world right now. The World Snooker Championship has reached its fever pitch, with fans glued to every shot as the tournament barrels towards an electrifying finish. No one expected to see Ronnie O'Sullivan—the seven-time champion and household name—trailing by such a wide margin in the semi-finals. But Chinese sensation Zhao Xintong delivered one of the most dominant sessions in recent memory, coming in hot against O’Sullivan and taking a commanding 12-4 lead after their second session on May 3. O’Sullivan looked rattled as Zhao fell just five frames short of booking himself a spot in the final.
On the other side of the draw, things were much tighter. Mark Williams, gunning for his fourth world title and already one of snooker’s most respected veterans, found himself locked in a tense battle against world number one Judd Trump. After two sessions, they were tied up at 8-8—neither man willing to blink first in a contest packed with high-quality play, bold breaks, and plenty of tactical chess. Both had to draw deep on years of experience and raw nerve.
Winners Emerge as Zhao Makes History
Eventually, results shook out: Zhao Xintong put the final nails in O’Sullivan’s campaign, completing a showdown that had snooker fans buzzing with excitement—and, maybe, a few shocked faces around the Crucible. For Zhao, this marks uncharted territory: it’s his very first appearance in the iconic Crucible final, proof that snooker’s new blood is ready to challenge the old guard on the sport’s biggest stage.
Mark Williams, not to be outdone, emerged from another Crucible classic. He managed to outlast Trump's relentless challenge after dispatching long-time rival John Higgins 17-14 in the quarter-finals. The path to the final wasn’t a walk: Williams had to draw on all the grit and patience that’s made him a three-time champion here already. Trump, for his part, looked every bit a contender in his victory over Luca Brecel (13-8) earlier but couldn’t find just enough spark to break Williams’ resolve in the semi.
The build-up to the final wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for other big names either. Ronnie O’Sullivan, always the fan favorite, breezed through his own quarter-final with a convincing 10-4 win over Ali Carter, fueling yet more hopes for an eighth world title. Zhao Xintong made quick work of Chris Wakelin, dismantling him 13-5 and showing the kind of form that now has the snooker world asking how far his talent will take him on the sport’s grandest stage.
It all leads up to the Crucible’s biggest nights: the final sessions, spread over four blockbuster sittings—two each on May 4 and 5, played at 1pm and 7pm. With a best-of-35-frame format, it’s a true test of stamina, strategy, and steel nerves. Zhao Xintong is chasing a fairy-tale finish to his Cinderella run, while Mark Williams could cement his legacy with title number four. No matter who lifts the trophy, this year’s World Snooker Championship will be remembered for its bold upsets and fresh faces at the very top.
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