O'Sullivan loses session 8-0 as Zhao dazzles at Crucible

 O'Sullivan loses session 8-0 as Zhao dazzles at Crucible

In a jaw-dropping moment at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, Zhao Xintong delivered a masterclass, thrashing Ronnie O'Sullivan 8-0 in their semi-final session at the Crucible. The match, initially level at 4-4 after Thursday's play, saw Zhao dominate Friday morning’s session, taking a commanding 12-4 lead. The 28-year-old Chinese star was unstoppable, firing in breaks of 57, 57, 112, and 82, while capitalizing on O'Sullivan’s uncharacteristic mistakes. O'Sullivan, a seven-time champion, struggled after changing his cue tip overnight, managing just 50 points in the session—one of the worst performances of his 33-year Crucible career. Zhao, a former UK Championship winner playing as an amateur, showcased precision and composure, earning praise as a potential history-maker as the first Chinese player to claim the world title. Fans and commentators were left in awe, with some calling it a defining moment in snooker. The match resumed later Friday, with Zhao needing just five frames to secure a place in the final against either Judd Trump or Mark Williams. O'Sullivan, known for his resilience, faces an uphill battle to mount a comeback from this deficit. Zhao’s performance has sparked excitement about his potential to dominate the sport, with his aggressive style and cool-headedness under pressure drawing comparisons to the game’s greats. This session will be remembered as a turning point, highlighting Zhao’s arrival as a serious contender on snooker’s biggest stage. The Crucible crowd buzzed with anticipation, eager to see if Zhao can maintain his momentum and etch his name into snooker history. Meanwhile, questions swirl about whether O'Sullivan can recover from this rare and humbling defeat to keep his title hopes alive.