Bingham Brings Down the Champion! Zhao’s 11-Match Streak Shattered
In Llandudno, at the prestigious Welsh Open, former world champion Stuart Bingham delivered a statement performance, halting the momentum of reigning world champion Zhao Xintong with a composed 4–2 victory. The 2015 Crucible king showed all his trademark grit and tactical sharpness, booking his place in the quarter-finals and ending Zhao’s impressive 11-match winning streak.
For Zhao, the defeat marks a rare pause in what has been a relentless stretch of competition. The Chinese star has been riding a wave of success, claiming two finals and competing in three consecutive tournaments, all while battling jet lag and persistent coughing. The physical and mental toll of elite snooker can quietly build, and perhaps this moment signals not a setback—but a necessary reset. As one fan aptly noted on social media, it may be time for a brief break: a chance to recharge before mounting another charge toward the Crucible.
Bingham, however, deserves full credit for seizing his opportunity. Calm under pressure and clinical when chances appeared, he reminded the snooker world why he once ruled it. His victory not only ends Zhao’s streak but also reaffirms his own ambitions for another deep tournament run.
Elsewhere on Day 4’s evening session, the competition remained fierce. Jack Lisowski secured a solid 4–2 win over Jackson Page, while four-time world champion John Higgins displayed his enduring class in a 4–2 triumph against Zhang Anda. Meanwhile, Zhou Yuelong advanced comfortably with a 4–1 win over Sam Craigie.
As the tournament heads into the quarter-final stage, the narrative has shifted. Zhao’s streak may have ended, but champions are defined by how they respond. With the season building toward snooker’s grandest stage, this could simply be the calm before Zhao Xintong fires back stronger than ever.
