World snooker champion Zhao Xintong has failed to defend his title after losing in the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship, falling victim to the long-standing “Crucible curse”.
According to Beyond Time News, the 29-year-old Chinese star became the first player from his country to win the world title last year, but his defence ended with defeat to England’s Shaun Murphy.
Defending Champion Knocks Out
Zhao had taken an early 3-0 lead, but Murphy fought back strongly to take control of the match at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
The contest was level at 8-8 before Murphy pulled ahead, eventually sealing victory with a decisive break to book his place in the semi-finals.
Murphy, a former world champion, is now two wins away from claiming a second title, 21 years after his first triumph.
Zhao admitted Murphy deserved the win, saying he felt pressure as defending champion but praised his opponent’s performance.
Historic Pattern Continues
The defeat continues a famous trend in snooker history, where no first-time world champion has successfully defended the title since the tournament moved to the Crucible in 1977.
Hossein Bring Iran Pride to Snooker Championship Difficult Time
Wu Yize Reaches Semi-Finals
There was better news for China as 22-year-old Wu Yize reached his first World Championship semi-final after defeating Iran’s Hossein Vafaei 13-8.
Wu will now face Mark Allen in the last four after producing a strong display in the final session.
Vafaei praised Wu’s performance, describing his shot-making as exceptional and comparing it to playing a video game due to his accuracy under pressure.
Allen Advances After Hawkins Error
In another quarter-final, Mark Allen secured a 13-11 win over Barry Hawkins after a costly mistake from the Englishman in a tense final frame.
The error allowed Allen to capitalise and close out the match, booking his place in the semi-finals for the second time in four years.
