O'Sullivan backs Zhao Xintong to become snooker 'megastar'

London: Ronnie O Sullivan has tipped Zhao Xintong to become the first Chinese winner of the World Snooker Championship, and with it a megastar after...

London: Ronnie O'Sullivan has tipped Zhao Xintong to become the first Chinese winner of the World Snooker Championship, and with it a "megastar" after the 28-year-old inflicted a crushing semi-final defeat upon the seven-time champion.

Zhao overwhelmed O'Sullivan, widely regarded as snooker's greatest player, 17-7 at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre on Friday with a session to spare to book his place in a Sunday and Monday final against either Judd Trump or Mark Williams.

Zhao's achievement is all the more impressive given he had to come through four qualifying rounds just to enter the main draw as he continues his comeback following a 20-month ban for his involvement in a betting scandal.

But he has since defeated Jak Jones, Lei Peifan, Chris Wakelin and O'Sullivan to join Ding Junhui as the only other player from China to reach the world final.