{"id":8138,"date":"2026-04-26T13:33:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T13:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8138"},"modified":"2026-04-26T13:33:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T13:33:42","slug":"ding-junhui-makes-zhao-xintong-prediction-after-world-snooker-championship-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8138","title":{"rendered":"Ding Junhui makes Zhao Xintong prediction after World Snooker Championship clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Zhao Xintong got the better of the blockbuster all-Chinese clash with Ding Junhui (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ding Junhui reckons the Crucible curse is no match for Zhao Xintong after losing to his compatriot in the second round of the World Snooker Championship.<\/p>\n

The huge clash between the Chinese icon and the reigning world champion was won 13-9 by the Cyclone, who sets up a quarter-final with Shaun Murphy.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old is looking to become the first ever first-time world champion to defend the title the following year, something that has never been done at the Crucible.<\/p>\n

Ding reckons the curse, that has held firm since the Crucible first hosted the World Championship in 1977, is set to be lifted this year.<\/p>\n

\u2018The curse for him, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s working,\u2019 Ding said after defeat.<\/p>\n

Pushed on whether he thinks he will lift the trophy again, Ding said: \u2018Yeah I love to watch him playing and see him winning.\u2019<\/p>\n

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You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In my new newsletter, The Table, I’ll be analysing the biggest talking points, breaking down frames and crowning the week’s winners and losers every Monday.<\/p>\n

The World Championship is here, so there’s no better time to sign up.<\/p>\n

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Phil has been reporting on snooker for over a decade, since working in World Snooker’s press office in 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Zhao himself said he is \u2018very far\u2019 from his best at the minute, but Ding feels a tournament-winning performance does not have to be a spectacular one.<\/p>\n

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Zhao Xintong has now won 11 World Championship matches on the spin (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Asked if Zhao\u2019s level so far is enough to triumph again in Sheffield, Ding said: \u2018Yes, win the tournament doesn\u2019t mean you play very well. <\/p>\n

\u2018You\u2019ve got tactics, whatever happens in the match, in between frames, we don\u2019t know, nobody knows but he\u2019s doing well in the whole match the past two days. <\/p>\n

\u2018I think he\u2019ll learn from the match and improve every time. I think he\u2019s better than anyone.\u2019<\/p>\n

While the curse is yet to strike on the current world champion, he does admit that he feels under much more pressure this year than he did 12 months ago.<\/p>\n

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Zhao made three centuries in his win over Ding (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning from a ban from the game, Zhao played last year\u2019s World Championship as an amateur, the complete contrast to defending champion.<\/p>\n

\u2018The pressure is very, very big. It\u2019s not like before,\u2019 he told the BBC.<\/p>\n

\u2018This is very different, last year I was not [a] seed, like a nobody guy, just want to beat anyone but now I don\u2019t want to lose any match. I want to keep going, it\u2019s different.\u2019<\/p>\n

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