World Snooker Championship 2026 LIVE – Updates, results and streaming details as Zhao Xintong leads Ding Junhui in all-Chinese battle
By Desmond Kane
Updated 25/04/2026 at 17:46 GMT+1
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World Snooker Championship 2026 live comments and streaming details. TNT Sports brings you frame-by-frame updates as Saturday's afternoon session sees the continuation of Zhao Xintong's showdown with fellow Chinese star Ding Junhui, meanwhile Judd Trump and Hossein Vafaei begin their second-round clash.
'It is a rarity these days' - Trump breaks the deadlock with delightful double pot
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Championship LIVE - Latest updates from Day 8 in Sheffield
Latest: Ding Junhui 7-9 Zhao Xintong
Zhao Xintong produced a second century of the match to open up a 9-7 overnight lead against fellow Chinese icon Ding Junhui in their last-16 meeting at Sheffield.
The world champion added to his 116 in the fourth frame with 115 in the 11th frame on his way to winning the second session 5-3 after the duo were locked at 4-4 overnight.
Top seed Zhao was never behind in opening up an 8-5 then 9-6 lead with other notable breaks of 77, 59 and 87.
But Ding pinched the 10th frame on the final black with another couple of 69 knocks keeping him in touch before they play to a finish on Sunday morning at 10:00.
The winner will face Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Judd Trump finished with a 115 break to finish his first session level with Hossein Vafaei at 4-4.
Trump had led 3-1 at the mid-session interval, but three brilliant counter clearances of 57, 66 and 65 saw Vafaei, the only qualifier still in the event, to pinch three frames for a 4-3 advantage with Trump's punished for missing key balls.
They resume their second session at 14:30 on Sunday.
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'It is a rarity these days' - Trump breaks the deadlock with delightful double pot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Saturday's last-16 latest
10:00
- Chris Wakelin 4-4 Neil Robertson
- Kyren Wilson 9-13 Mark Allen
14:30
- Zhao Xintong 9-7 Ding Junhui
- Hossein Vafaei 4-4 Judd Trump
19:00
- John Higgins v Ronnie O'Sullivan
- Barry Hawkins 10-6 Mark Williams
Trump 4-4 Vafaei (132-0)
Brilliant closing clearance of 115 from the 2019 Crucible winner. Finely poised for their second session on Sunday afternoon at 14:30.
Trump 3-4 Vafaei (73-0)
Chance for the world No. 1 to get out of the Crucible level at 4-4 having led 3-1 with Vafaei producing some clinical counter clearances. In goes frame-ball red, and that should be that for the afternoon.
Latest: Ding 7-9 Zhao, Trump 4-4 Vafaei
69 from the 'Prince of Persia' after a positional error from Trump, who produced 59. but not enough. Led 3-1, but has lost the past three frames. One more frame to come before the mid-session.
Ding 6-9 Zhao (69-0)
69 from Ding and Zhao will need a snooker. But not yet over the line in this frame. Until a safety blunder prompts the concession from Zhao. A 9-7 lead for the world champion.
Ding 6-9 Zhao (52-0)
This would be a solid finale to a tough session for Ding. Finishing two frames adrift of Zhao would be deemed a result for the former UK and Masters champion.
Ding 6-9 Zhao (35-0)
Safety error by Zhao early in the frame enable Ding to make 19, but he can't get the pack open off the black. Gets a decent run of ball to land on a red through two other reds to right middle. In goes the black, and on goes Ding.
Ding 6-9 Zhao (0-0)
Zhao gets the balls moving for the 16th frame of the session.
Ding 6-8 Zhao (0-72)
No late rally from Ding in this 15th frame as Zhao puts away the points he needs for a three-frame advantage. 34 break added to pocket a 9-6 advantage. One more frame to come in the session with Ding hanging on a bit.
'It is a rarity these days' - Trump breaks the deadlock with delightful double pot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ding 6-8 Zhao (0-54)
Zhao inching towards winning this 15th frame. Which would ensure him of at worst a two-frame lead in this last-16 tie.
Ding 6-8 Zhao (0-42)
A decent lead for Zhao in this frame, but far from conclusive. Another wonderful long red is drained superbly by Zhao. Meanwhile, 66 from Vafaei who is now level at 3-3 with Judd Trump on the other main showpiece table.
Ding 6-8 Zhao (0-25)
First chance of the 15th frame falls to Zhao as he bids to establish an overnight lead before they conclude this match on Sunday morning. Another fine opening red.
Ding 5-8 Zhao (84-15)
Zhao tries and fails to land a thin red to right centre. Sticks up red, and this is going to be Ding's frame. A big frame for Ding to win, but he probably needs another one this afternoon. Two to play.
Ding 5-8 Zhao (69-15)
A fine 69 from Ding, but a cutback red doesn't drop. Still six reds left on deck. So Ding having to be mindful. But a brilliant pot by Zhao on a red down the table has opened the door slightly. Can't get the reds open off black. Which is a relief for Ding.
Ding 5-8 Zhao (53-0)
Ding running into some rich form at the right time as break moves beyond 50. Glorious chance then to close the gap back to 8-6 after shipping three straight frames.
Ding 5-8 Zhao (24-0)
Vital that Ding finds some scoring form otherwise this contest is going to run away from him. Meanwhile, 57 from Vafaei as he closes to 3-2 behind against Trump.
Ding 5-8 Zhao (7-0)
Winner of this one will take on Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals after his 13-3 filleting of Xiao Guodong with a session to spare. Zhao tries to snick in a red to left middle, but pocket refuses it. Ding slams in a longish red.
Ding 5-7 Zhao (0-107)
87 from Zhao who careers into an 8-5 lead against the fellow Chinese snooker icon. Can Ding arrest this slide?
Ding 5-7 Zhao (0-69)
Makes what is a difficult game look incredibly simple. Pace of the white so good in splitting reds. At one with the table.
Ding 5-7 Zhao (0-55)
Like shelling peas out there. White ball on a piece of string. 8-5 looks a certainty now. Five reds left on deck.
Ding 5-7 Zhao (0-32)
Another error by Ding to leave a red for the left middle. Which he gladly accepts. Into the pack off the black to disturb a few more reds. Looks all a bit ominous out there at the moment.
Ding 5-7 Zhao (0-20)
Zhao needing one more frame to ensure he won't trail in the third and final session of this match. Drops in a black along the top cush, but not sure he is on the next red. Just safety to follow.
Latest: Ding 5-7 Zhao, Trump 3-1 Vafaei
Ding 5-6 Zhao (68-57)
Supreme pot by Zhao from brown to land on blue. In goes the pink, and off goes Zhao for the mid-session interval. A 7-5 lead for Zhao. First time the difference has been two frames in this match. Ding wilting in the key moment in that frame.
Ding 5-6 Zhao (56-42)
Ding in a spot of bother. Escapes from a snooker at the second attempt, but Zhao has enough room to clip home the red. This could be a big move right here.
Ding 5-6 Zhao (56-25)
Well, Ding losing the white then at the key juncture off blue. Still three reds left up. Looks like end of break. But a fine safety shot to follow.
Ding 5-6 Zhao (34-25)
This time Ding attacks the pack, and is rewarded with a lovely split of the reds. Golden chance then to level us up at 6-6 when he concludes this visit to the table. Brilliant shot on the pink to bust open the pack.
Ding 5-6 Zhao (19-25)
Zhao opens the cluster off the black, but is unfortunate to make a plant as a red is inadvertently canned. Not much you can do about that. A reprieve for Ding.
Ding 5-6 Zhao (6-1)
Ding missing red with the rest. Which is not good news as Zhao returns to the table with an easy red hanging over a top bag.
Ding 5-5 Zhao (115-65)
What a fabulous knock that was. 115 of the very best, his second century of the match. He leads 6-5.
Ding 5-5 Zhao (11-65)
Only question now is about prospects of a century here. Nothing between him and the magic sign 'Ton Up!'
Ding 5-5 Zhao (11-56)
Slipped up in frame 10, but frame 11 looks like it could be heading for a quick Zhao kill. Meanwhile, 70 knock from Hossein Vafaei against Judd Trump. Battle is joined. 1-1 on the other main showpiece table.
Ding 5-5 Zhao (11-35)
Well, the answer is pretty obvious as the reds are splattered all over the place by Zhao. Giving this frame full attention. All the greats can quickly forget about the previous frame.
Ding 5-5 Zhao (11-0)
Wonder how losing the 10th frame will affect Zhao? Usually pretty good at blotting out his mishaps.
Ding 4-5 Zhao (66-60)
A cameo closing break of 31 to the final black is good enough for Ding to bring us all square again.
Ding 4-5 Zhao (35-60)
Lovely long red by Ding. What a steal this would be. But he misses the final red using rest. Doesn't leave the final red. And Ding then slams home the red from distance. Another big chance for Ding to level us up at 5-5.
Ding 4-5 Zhao (28-60)
59 from Zhao, but he can't land on the next red from the black. Which is a bit of a blunder with two reds left on deck.
Ding 4-5 Zhao (28-32)
Ding missing another red when he is at the table. Which is not good news when Zhao is about. Chance then for the world champ to build a lead in this 10th frame. Mopping up the Ding errors at the moment.
Ding 4-4 Zhao (16-94)
This has been impeccable from Zhao. Floating around the table. And that will be the first frame of the day to the top seed. 77 break is more than good enough.
Ding 4-4 Zhao (16-39)
Huge chance squandered by Ding, and this looks like it is going to be a 5-4 lead for Zhao incoming. But he runs out of ideal position. Recovers well with red to right centre.
Ding 4-4 Zhao (16-18)
Zhao slots a long red, but doesn't land nicely on black which he misses using the spider. Chance then for Ding to get his cue arm working. But he can't keep white under lock and key. Only makes 16 as he misses a red.
Ding 4-4 Zhao (0-16)
Lovely long red by Zhao. One of his trademark finishes, but not much more than 16 coming off this visit for the world champion. Goes for double on red, but nothing doing.
Saturday's last-16 latest
10:00
- Chris Wakelin 4-4 Neil Robertson
- Kyren Wilson 9-13 Mark Allen
14:30
- Zhao Xintong 9-6 Ding Junhui
- Hossein Vafaei 3-3 Judd Trump
19:00
- John Higgins v Ronnie O'Sullivan
- Barry Hawkins 10-6 Mark Williams
Result: Allen 13-9 Wilson
Mark Allen completed a 13-9 win over 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson to reach the Crucible quarter-finals.
Resuming 9-7 clear overnight against the world No. 2, Allen secured the four frames he needed with Wilson never managing to restore parity in the final session on Saturday morning.
A 78 break saw Wilson, who battled problems with his cue tip in trailing 5-0 on Thursday night, close to 9-8 behind only for Allen to move 10-8 ahead with a 78 of his own.
A 61 saw the Antrim man increase his advantage at 11-8 before Wilson dominated the 20th frame to close within two frames at the mid-session interval.
But that was as good as it was to get for the Kettering player as Allen claimed the final two frames, sealing a merited victory on the final pink in the 22nd frame, to join Shaun Murphy as the second man through to the last eight.
Allen will face Barry Hawkins or Mark Williams in the quarter-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday with 2013 finalist Hawkins 10-6 clear of three-time champion Williams before they play to a finish on Saturday night at 19:00.
Meanwhile, Chris Wakelin recovered from 4-1 down to level up against Neil Robertson at 4-4 after their opening session at the Crucible.
World Championship LIVE - Zhao Xintong 4-4 Ding Junhui
Reigning world champion Zhao Xintong is locked at 4-4 in a tussle with compatriot Ding Junhui.
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Watch in full: Ding's STUNNING steal to level with Zhao after first session
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch and stream the World Championship
You can watch every day of the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports.
It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.
For the latest information on which snooker events are on TNT Sports, click here.
Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.
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