Zhao knocks out 2024 Crucible finalist Jones

Halo World Championship

Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Dates: 19 April to 5 May

Zhao Xintong wrapped up a comfortable 10-4 victory over Jak Jones to knock the 2024 runner-up out of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Both of last year’s finalists have exited the 2025 event in the first round, following defending champion Kyren Wilson’s defeat by Lei Peifan on Saturday.

Zhao will meet fellow Chinese player Lei in his next match for a place in the quarter-finals.

Trailing 7-2 overnight, Jones started the second session with a break of exactly 100.

He reduced his deficit further when Zhao missed a simple brown during what appeared to be a routine clearance that would have restored the 28-year-old’s five-frame advantage.

In the other match being played in Monday’s morning session, four-time champion John Higgins shared the first four frames with qualifier Joe O’Connor.

Nine frames will be played in their first session, with their first-round match being played to a conclusion from 19:00 BST.

10:00

14:30

19:00