Latest Snooker Rankings: Zhao Xintong Claims Title and Climbs to 7th, Five Chinese Players in Top 16, Ding Junhui at 13th

On February 9th Beijing time, the Snooker World Grand Prix wrapped up, with Zhao Xintong enduring challenges to deliver five century breaks in the final, beating Zhang Anda 10-6 and claiming the title to return to his prime. Consequently, the latest world rankings were updated with clear shifts: the top four stayed the same, Selby advanced to fifth, Zhao Xintong surged to seventh, Mark Allen fell to tenth, and Ding Junhui stood at 13th. China still has five players in the top sixteen, with Si Jiahui acting as the gatekeeper!

Zhao Xintong is a prodigious talent with precision comparable to O’Sullivan. His style resembles Rocket O’Sullivan’s aggressive approach, always ready to strike like a hunter waiting for prey. Last season, he became the first Chinese player to win the World Championship. Although his ranking event results this season were average, he rediscovered his fierce attacking form at the Grand Prix, defeating several top-16 stars including Higgins, Selby, Wakelin, and Xiao Guodong on his way to the final. There, he unleashed his offensive skills to take control and powered through to a 10-6 victory over Zhang Anda, securing his fourth ranking title. Zhao truly thrives in major tournaments. After the win, he earned a hefty £180,000 prize. Interestingly, his world ranking only rose one spot from eighth to seventh, a modest gain. However, the gap to fifth-placed Selby and sixth-placed Higgins is very narrow, so he could soon climb to fifth. If he maintains this form, a future world number one ranking is not out of the question!

Other players saw Selby move into the top five after reaching the Grand Prix last 16, overtaking Higgins who dropped to sixth following an earlier exit. Mark Allen fell three places from seventh to tenth after a first-round loss. Meanwhile, Rocket O’Sullivan is relying on past achievements, currently ranked 11th; without strong performances ahead, his ranking may decline sharply!

Five Chinese players remain within the top sixteen. Zhao Xintong, Xiao Guodong, and Wu Yize hold relatively stable positions, each having secured ranking event titles. However, Ding Junhui and Si Jiahui face the risk of falling out of the top sixteen, especially Ding whose form has been disastrous with no competitiveness. Zhang Anda, having reached the Grand Prix final and earned £80,000, is closing in on the top sixteen. This Grand Prix has been a tremendous success for us, marking a historic upset with four Chinese players in the ranking event semifinals. Our overall strength is improving, and more such breakthroughs are expected in the future. Let’s wait and see!

Written by / Sports Novels