Zhao Xintong makes Ronnie O’Sullivan thoughts clear with fresh comment after Crucible win

Zhao Xintong has stormed into his first World Snooker Championship final after thrashing Ronnie O’Sullivan in the last four – and he immediately showed his respect for the beaten Rocket

Zhao Xintong displayed a heartwarming act of sportsmanship towards Ronnie O’Sullivan right after dominating the Rocket in the World Snooker Championship semi-finals. The Chinese sensation is now all set to make his debut in the Crucible final, but his immediate reaction following a 17-7 win with a session to spare was to share an embrace with and commend his seven-time world title-winning opponent.

Although rivals at the table, Zhao showed nothing but respect for O’Sullivan, who accepted his defeat with grace. Poised at four frames each heading into Friday’s session, the Chinese star played out some exceptional snooker to unexpectedly whitewash an out-of-sorts O’Sullivan, meaning that his place in the final was all but booked with a 12-4 lead.

The Rocket had his eyes on an unfathomable comeback when taking the next few frames of the following session, but 17-7 would be the final result, and shock would be the theme of post-match interviews.

“I can’t believe that,” Zhao admitted when speaking to the BBC after his win. “I need to say thank you to Ronnie because he helped me a lot before.

“To be honest, I don’t want to win here [against O’Sullivan] in the Crucible, because… Hopefully he can win his eighth title and Triple crown here. He’s my idol.

“I try to enjoy the Crucible here. That’s my first time playing with the single table here. It’s an amazing time for me, I just want to enjoy it because I don’t know how many times I will enjoy it here. But I’m doing well.”

Not only did Zhao’s post-match comments paint his opponent, and himself, in an honourable light, but as soon as the 28-year-old sank the final black ball, O’Sullivan got to his feet.

They moved towards each other and embraced. Zhao lifted his hands above the head of the seven-time world champion and clapped, prompting the audience to acknowledge the defeated semi-finalist.

O’Sullivan, appearing deeply moved by the gesture, responded with a smile and a pat on Zhao’s side, clearly showing a mutual respect for the phenom, reports the Express.

The dismayed Rocket was asked about his momentous collapse after the dust had settled, and he landed on three reasons why he may not have been at his best.

“I don’t even know if it was the cue, the ferrule or me,” said O’Sullivan. “There were three things. I just don’t even know where the white ball’s going. I’m at a loss, to be honest with you.

“I don’t even know what to say. Sometimes you’ve got to try something different, you know? It didn’t feel great before so I tried to go back to the old brass ferrule.

“I’m not making the cue as an excuse or anything like that but if I hadn’t snapped my old cue maybe I’d have been able to give him a better game but really my performances have not been good enough.”

Following their respective media commitments, Zhao was seen giving O’Sullivan a warm hug in his dressing room, a testament to his deep admiration for the 49-year-old.