Mark Williams will have to mount a fightback for the ages if he is to win his fourth world title, after succumbing to an outstanding display of snooker by Zhao Xintong, the rising star of the game, who has raced into a 7-1 lead in the final at The Crucible.

Zhao Xintong was crowned China’s first world snooker champion on a defining night for the sport in Sheffield and his vanquished opponent Mark Williams believes the sky is the limit for the new Crucible king.

Zhao Xintong won the World Snooker Championships on Monday, beating Welshman Mark Williams 18-12 at the Crucible in Sheffield.