Zhao Xintong will be a professional player again from next season after safeguarding top spot on the Q Tour Europe rankings list.
The Chinese competitor can’t be caught at the summit of this season’s standings on the feeder amateur circuit.
Q Tour Event 6 in Mons is already in full swing this weekend in Mons, with Zhao having reached the semi-finals at the time of writing on Sunday.
The 27 year-old has won three out of the four Q Tour events that he’s participated in since returning to competitive action last September following the end of his ban.
Zhao lost to Craig Steadman in his comeback tournament at Q Tour 2 but has been relentless on the satellite series since then, capturing three titles on the trot.
With nearest rivals in the rankings Dylan Emery and Ryan Thomerson losing in the round of 64 in Belgium this week, Zhao now can’t be usurped.
The top-ranked player from the Q Tour is guaranteed a two-year main tour card, with Zhao set to regain his status as a professional player from the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
Three extra cards are up for grabs through a separate play-off tournament at the end of the Q Tour season.
What did Zhao Xintong say?
“I am very happy, because I have hoped for this day for a long time,” Zhao Xintong was quoted as saying by the WPBSA.
“I knew it would be very hard to get back on to the tour and I needed to play very well, because all the players on Q Tour are really good.”
“I went a long time without playing a competitive match and I have really enjoyed being back. To play on the tour, I need to be winning and gain some confidence.
“I will do my best to win this title. I am guaranteed to be on the tour next season now, but I still want to do the best I can.
“I just want to enjoy the matches, but if I play well I know I can be a champion again on the tour. I believe in myself, so let’s do it.”
How did Zhao get here?
The former ranking event winner has been in fantastic form since getting back on the baize after the conclusion of his betting-related ban.
In addition to winning a hat-trick of trophies on the Q Tour so far, Zhao has made two 147 breaks and also emerged from the first round of qualifying to reach the venue stages of the UK Championship in York.
It was at the Barbican Centre in 2021 when Zhao initially made a name for himself, romping to a career breakthrough UK Championship triumph.
He followed that up with a second ranking success at the 2022 German Masters before reaching a high of number six in the official world rankings.
Zhao’s career trajectory took a dramatic turn in the opposite direction, however, after his involvement in the Chinese match-fixing scandal was revealed.
Zhao was cleared of fixing matches, but he was found guilty of being aware of matches that were being fixed and for betting on snooker.
He has wasted little time in ensuring his immediate return to the World Snooker Tour, where he’ll have the opportunity next season to revive his professional career.
Featured photo credit: WST
