John Higgins Lauds Zhao Xintong as 'A Genius' Following Players Championship Defeat
Snooker star John Higgins offered a glowing two-word verdict on his opponent Zhao Xintong after losing the Players Championship final in Telford. The Chinese sensation triumphed 10-7 to claim his second consecutive ranking title, leaving the veteran Scot in awe of his talent.
Zhao Xintong's Remarkable Fortnight Culminates in Victory
Zhao Xintong continued his impressive 12-month run by defeating Higgins, securing the £150,000 top prize. This victory came just two weeks after his win at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, marking a stunning period of success for the 28-year-old player.
Reflecting on the match, Higgins expressed admiration for Zhao, comparing him to legendary sports figures. "I can always remember my dad saying things like he was lucky to see people like George Best and Jimmy Johnson," Higgins stated. "The snooker players, I'm sure my kids are lucky that they've watched somebody like Xintong because he is an absolute genius." He reiterated this praise by simply calling Zhao "a genius."
Zhao's Reaction and Future Prospects
For his part, Zhao appeared somewhat surprised by his rapid success. "I still can't believe that, because last week I was still in Hong Kong, and now I'm back to Telford and won the championship again," he said. "This has been a dream, so I can't believe that."
This win bodes well for Zhao's upcoming defence of the World Snooker Championship in April. He could become the first player to claim back-to-back world titles in nearly a decade, with Mark Selby last achieving this in 2016/17.
Season Highlights and Challenges
Alongside his victories at the Players Championship and World Grand Prix, Zhao also won the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in November. This season has the potential to surpass even his World Championship-winning campaign, a feat few anticipated.
However, it hasn't been entirely smooth sailing for Zhao this term, with four first-round exits and five second-round losses in ranking tournaments. Despite this, Higgins' high regard suggests the reigning champion may be peaking at the perfect moment.
Both players will now set their sights on the World Championship in Sheffield, where they will compete for the global title. Zhao is assured of the top seeding as defending champion, though he trails other contenders in overall prize money for the season.
