World Championship 2025: Zhao Xintong attacked by insect in Crucible final with with Mark Williams - 'This is the closest anyone has got to him'

The World Championship final between Mark Wiliams and Zhao Xintong got off to a flying start for the latter as he won the opening two frames of the match. He was impressing again in the third frame when he was confronted by an insect at the Crucible. Watch and stream the World Championship final, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

Zhao Xintong has looked unstoppable at the World Championship, but he appeared to meet his match in the shape of an insect.

The Chinese potter powered through qualifying to get to the Crucible, and then cut a swathe through the seeded players.

He demolished Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi-finals to set up a clash with Mark Williams in the Sheffield showpiece.

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Nerves were not evident early on in the final, as he took the opening two frames, the second coming via a century.

The third was a scrappy affair, but Zhao had a chance to counter when trailing 41-25.

But as he got down to take on a pot on the green, he was confronted by an insect.

'Looks like he was born to play in this venue' - Zhao makes century in second frame against Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

"His biggest problem at the moment is an insect following him," said Neal Foulds in the TNT Sports commentary box. "It's the last thing he needs, it's a big shot."

"It feels like this is the closest anyone has got to him in the tournament," added Dave Hendon.

• Win over O'Sullivan shows Zhao could be snooker's Littler - White
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Zhao took a few swipes to no avail, but the bug eventually ducked for cover.

Zhao had a smile on his face, but when he got down to take on the pot it wriggled in the jaws of the right corner.

"I can’t imagine that helped," Foulds said.

Zhao may have gone back to his seat in disappointment, but he ended up on the right side of the frame as he won a battle on the black to take a 3-0 lead.

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