Zhao Xintong set for sensational TV return as he qualifies for the 2024 UK Snooker Championship

Memorably crowned UK Champion in 2021 - his maiden ranking event title - when he denied Luca Brecel in the final, Zhao received an invite to this year's qualifiers due to his performances and results on the amateur-only Q Tour where he currently tops the overall rankings having won consecutive event titles and made two maximum 147 breaks.

The 27-year-old’s ban from World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA - snooker’s governing body) events ended at the start of September, meaning he was able to play in tournaments on the sport’s second tier.

Zhao has been competing on the UK/Europe Q Tour in an attempt to win back his top tier status and a World Snooker Tour card for the 2025/26 season, but the opportunity to feature in a professional event came much sooner than some would have anticipated as he accepted a nomination for the UK qualifiers which have taken place at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester over the past several days.

Competing as an amateur, Zhao had to begin his campaign in the first qualifying round, and was required to win four consecutive matches in order to reach the main draw and book a sensational return to the Barbican Centre in York - the scene of his greatest triumph over three years ago.

The former top 16 star eliminated Sunny Akani, Jiang Jun and Noppon Saengkham from the £1.2 million Triple Crown event across the opening three qualifying rounds, before battling back from 2-0 down to dismiss multiple-time ranking event champion Ricky Walden, 6-2, during the second part of Judgement Day on Thursday afternoon.

That victory over Walden secured Zhao’s passage through to the main venue and televised stages which begin on Saturday.

The two-time ranking event champion made a century break in each qualifying match, and is in line for the £15,000 tournament high break bonus for the effort of 146 he crafted against Akani in his opening qualifier. That run was a 147 attempt before he fell out of position on the black and took the pink instead.

Zhao has been drawn to face Shaun Murphy in round one, and will play the career Triple Crown winner during the tournament’s opening session on Saturday afternoon - the same session that defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan meets Barry Hawkins.

Whether Zhao is a serious contender for the crown having spent a prolonged spell away from the bright lights remains to be seen, although the Chinese cueist will travel to York match-sharp following his quartet of matches in recent days and high on confidence carrying a 21-match winning streak across all competitions (17 from Q Tour, 4 from UK qualifiers).

For full details on the 2024 UK Championship, including the draw, results, prize money breakdown, format and how to watch, please visit our tournament information centre here.