Zhao Xintong wins back-to-back ranking titles with Players Championship triumph

The reigning world champion from China secures the fifth ranking crown of his career, and the £150,000 top prize on offer at the Telford International Centre which pushes him up to number five in the world rankings, his highest position yet.

It is the 28-year-old's second ranked accolade in a matter of weeks having been victorious at the World Grand Prix earlier this month in Hong Kong.

Sunday’s final featured two contestants who could have both easily missed out on appearing in this year’s tournament altogether.

A few weeks ago in the Far East, Zhao required a good run to qualify for this week’s festivities, and was staring elimination from two tournaments at once in the face when he trailed Mark Selby 4-1 in the last 16. However, the Crucible king took the next four frames to progress, before winning a further three matches for his first ranking title whilst wearing the world crown.

In Telford last Wednesday, he conjured up the same escape act, recovering from three frames down with four to play as he turned a 5-2 first round deficit to Elliot Slessor into a 6-5 comeback win.

Higgins - who at 50 years and nine months was aiming to become the oldest-ever winner of a ranking event - didn’t initially qualify for this competition due to being 17th on the one-year standings, one place below the cut-off. However, due to fellow ‘Class of 92’ graduate Ronnie O’Sullivan electing not to participate, Higgins was first in line for a call-up.

Zhao powers across the finish line in Players final

Competing in his 60th ranking event final, Higgins went 2-0 up before runs of 62 and 61 helped Zhao get on the board and level up going into the first mid-session interval.

On resumption, Higgins crafted an effort of 83 to nudge back in front but Zhao strung together the next two frames (81 break, frame seven) to move ahead for the first time at 4-3.

Then came a big final frame of the afternoon session and both players had opportunities during this scrappy juncture, but it was the experienced Scot who produced an effort of 90 to restore parity.

In comparison to a fairly free-flowing opening session, the evening's programme featured a number of unforced errors as the tension ramped up with the finishing line getting closer for both cueists.

Higgins twice went back in front by a frame but on both occasions Zhao responded with respective efforts of 88 and 83. It was a reoccurring pattern for the final, with the more experienced player taking the closer frames and his younger opponent depositing frames a lot more comfortably.

Emerging from the final interval of the day locked at 6-6, it looked as if Zhao was going in front but missed what was essentially frame ball red in frame 13. As he has done so often throughout his illustrious career, four-time world champion Higgins cleared the final two reds and all the colours to edge the advantage once again.

However, that missed opportunity didn't seem to perturb Zhao as he levelled in the next, before striking a golden patch of form with century breaks (104, 126) in successive frames to reach the hill before wrapping up victory with a run of 92.

The first time there had been more than two frames between the finalists, Zhao left his peer pointless for the final three as he snatched away control in efficient and destructive fashion.

‘The Cyclone’ maintains his 100% winning record in professional finals - he is now six from six. He is also the first multiple-time ranking event winner of this season, breaking the long sequence of unique title winners.

This is Zhao’s third trophy of the term overall, a tally that began in November in Saudi Arabia with success at the Riyadh Season Championship.

Next up for both Zhao and Higgins is the Welsh Open which starts on Monday in Llandudno, although their opening assignments are scheduled for Tuesday.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 Players Championship, visit here.