Zhao Xingtong, the reigning world champion, secured his second professional snooker title within a few weeks by triumphing at the Players Championship held in Telford, England. In a closely contested final, Zhao faced off against Scottish player John Higgins and secured a 10-7 victory, showcasing his exceptional skill and resilience throughout the match. Zhao, who is now ranked fifth in the world, was notably trailing for much of the match but rallied to win four consecutive frames at a crucial moment, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.

In addition to his championship win, Zhao delivered an impressive performance with at least two century breaks, while Higgins' best run was 90. This victory adds to Zhao's recent success, as he also won the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong just three weeks prior, indicating a significant upturn in his competitive form. Now, with momentum from these recent wins, Zhao is poised to continue competing at a high level in the upcoming tournaments.

This week, the world's elite snooker players have gathered in Wales for the Welsh Open, where they have already begun play. The tournament has already seen surprising outcomes, including the early elimination of top-ranked English player Mark Selby at the hands of fellow Chinese competitor Jiang Jun. Latvian player Artemijs Zizins also faced defeat against Iranian player Hossein Vafaei, highlighting the intense competition among the international snooker community.