Latest Snooker World Rankings: Zhao Xintong Wins Title, Climbs to Fifth, Top 16 Includes 5 Chinese Players & Ding Junhui Drops

On February 23rd Beijing time, the Snooker Players Championship ended with China’s sole representative Zhao Xintong making an impressive run. In the final against the experienced 75-year-old Higgins, Zhao delivered a powerful finish by winning four frames in a row to claim a 10-7 victory. This victory gave him his fifth ranking tournament title. Securing two major titles—the Grand Prix and Players Championship—back to back in one month is incredible, and his ranking has climbed continuously, now standing at fifth!

Zhao Xintong started this season slowly but gained momentum, winning a prestigious invitational tournament in Riyadh by defeating top opponents. He gradually regained form with a strong showing at the World Championship, then returned home to Hong Kong for the Grand Prix, where he defeated numerous tough competitors and helped China secure the title, also winning it himself—a highly valuable achievement. At the Players Championship, Zhao’s path was challenging with a slow start, but his tenacity allowed him to overturn deficits and advance to the final. Facing the fierce veteran Higgins, he once again came from behind—down 6-7—to decisively win four straight frames and take the match 10-7. By winning the Grand Prix and Players Championship consecutively, Zhao added another prestigious title to his record. His world ranking keeps climbing, and this victory earned him £150,000 in prize money, moving him up to fifth place. Zhao Xintong is undoubtedly the hottest player in snooker right now, with precision that’s unstoppable!

Although 50-year-old veteran Higgins did not claim the title and failed to surpass Mark Williams as the oldest ranking event winner, reaching the final at his age still proves his exceptional skill level. He took the runner-up spot and earned £70,000 in prize money, but his ranking dropped to sixth. Nevertheless, Higgins still benefits as a valuable substitute player!

Currently, five Chinese players are ranked within the top sixteen. The highest is Zhao Xintong at fifth place, with potential to rise further. Next is Xiao Guodong at tenth, followed by the post-2000s rising star Wu Yize at twelfth. Ding Junhui, whose form has declined and faced criticism, has slipped to fifteenth. Missing the Welsh Open and Yushan Open may cause Ding to fall out of the top sixteen, putting his World Championship seed at risk. Meanwhile, Si Jiahui is also struggling, currently ranked sixteenth and acting as a gatekeeper. There is pressure to improve and stabilize their rankings before the World Championship!

Written by / Sports Novels