Zhao Xintong Set for Crucible Return After Betting Ban, Ding Junhui Backs Him to Qualify

China’s snooker star Ding Junhui saw his impressive run to the semi-finals of the 2025 Tour Championship come to an end with a heavy 10-2 defeat to four-time world champion Mark Selby. 

But the bigger prize still lies ahead: the World Snooker Championship, the tournament Ding has dreamt of winning since turning professional back in 2003.

Ding can take pride in his route to the semis, having defeated legendary Welshman Mark Williams and defending world champion Kyren Wilson earlier in the week.

Ding’s Crucible Dream Lives On

Now, all eyes turn to the Crucible, where 2025 could finally be the year that China crowns its first world snooker champion.

While Ding remains the most successful Chinese player in the sport’s history, his recent record at the World Championship has been disappointing. He has not won a match at the Crucible for the past four years and has not reached the quarterfinals since 2017.

Still, he is the only Chinese player to have ever reached the World Championship final — and while his personal ambition remains strong, Ding believes a new wave of Chinese talent is now ready to challenge for the sport’s most prestigious title.

A Record-Breaking Year for Chinese Snooker

A record number of seeded Chinese players have already qualified for this year's tournament, including Ding, Zhang Anda, Xiao Guodong, and Si Jiahui. 

Meanwhile, Lei Peifan and Wu Yize are among the favourites to come through the gruelling qualification rounds at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, raising hopes of a record number of Chinese representatives at the Crucible.

“The future is bright,” Ding said. “There’s so many young players now growing up and improving quickly. Some of them are already winning titles — it’s amazing.”

“I love to see them all practising well. They’re all living in the UK now, and they look much happier after winning tournaments.”

“[Xiao] Guodong, Wu [Yize], and Lei Peifan are all doing much better this season. They’re playing to win it. I see they’re all at that level.”

However, Ding was keen to caution against placing too much expectation on the new generation.

“Most of them are still very young, so I would not put too much pressure on them,” he said. “They still have a long way to go. They need to keep practising and doing the same things, and then who knows — they could go on to win it in however many years.”

Zhao Xintong’s Crucible Return? 

Former UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong could also make a high-profile return to the Crucible after a one-year absence. Xintong controversially received a 20-month ban from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association in 2023 for offences relating to betting on snooker. 

However, his ban expired on 1 September 2024, and he has since topped the Q Tour Europe rankings to earn a place in the World Championship qualifiers, where he faces Ka Wai Cheung in the opening round on Monday.

Xintong’s talent on the baize has never been in doubt, but his controversial past has somewhat clouded his reputation. If he qualifies, it won’t be his first return to a Triple Crown event — he previously played in the 2024 UK Championship, although he was beaten in the first round by defending Masters champion Shaun Murphy.

Despite that setback, Xintong is considered a strong favourite to reach the Crucible, and bookmakers currently have him as the ninth favourite to lift the title, with odds as short as 20/1 — even shorter than Ding Junhui’s 22/1.

Ding Backs Zhao to Qualify

We spoke to Ding about the prospect of Zhao’s Crucible return, and he gave us some insight into how his compatriot is preparing.

“He’s been playing good in the Q Tour,” Ding said. “His confidence is back after being away for around two years.”

“He’s taken to tournament play very quickly again. I’m excited to see him play.”

Asked whether he believes Zhao could be one of the tournament’s dark horses if he qualifies, Ding was emphatic: “Yes, definitely.”

With a new wave of Chinese talent on the rise, and Zhao Xintong’s return adding extra intrigue, this year’s Crucible could be one of the most exciting yet.