Summary

  • China's Zhao Xintong beats Luca Brecel 10-5 to win UK Championship

  • First ranking title at age of 24

  • Only the fourth non-British winner of the Triple Crown event

  • Moves up to ninth in world rankings and secures place at Masters

  • Zhao led 5-3 after opening session at York Barbican

Live Reporting

Steve Sutcliffe

  1. A night to remember for Zhao Xintong

    Zhao XintongPA Media

    A first UK Championship and Triple Crown title. A £200,000 top prize. Into the world’s top 16 and a confirmed spot in the Masters in January.

    What a night for Zhao Xintong. Definitely one he won't forget in a hurry. You can read all about his nerveless 10-5 win over Luca Brecel in York on the BBC website.

    Time for me to depart but thanks for joining me this Sunday evening.

    See you all soon.

  2. Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    Luca played his part but he had a really tough day at the office. Every time he missed he seemed to stick his opponent in which does not always happen.

    He didn't get the best of luck or play as well as he did in the previous rounds but even so it was a bitter pill for him to swallow.

  3. 'Amazing performance and achievement'

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  4. 'He is going to be a national hero back in China'

    Zhao Xintong wins the UK Championship

    Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    Any young players looking to play the game will think he can inspire me. He is cool calm and collected. He has a lovely personality.

    It is tough standing out there speaking in a foreign language and he did a brilliant job of that. I think he is going to be a national hero back in China.

  5. 'There's a new kid in town'

    Zhao Xintong wins the UK Championship

    John Parrott
    1991 world champion on BBC Two

    Zhao XintongPA Media

    There's a new kid in town! The fans have loved Zhao all week. He has such a lovely manner about him.

    He is brimming with talent and now he's found out how to win he's going to be very dangerous and horrible to play against for anyone who draws him.

  6. 'The credentials to be the first Chinese world champion'

    Zhao Xintong wins the UK Championship

    Steve Davis
    Six-time world champion on BBC Two

    If he can use this as a springboard he can really force his way into the game strongly.

    He's got the credentials to be the first Chinese world champion. Everyone thought it might be Ding but who is to say Zhao might be the one to do it.

    He's a class winner as well. It's as if he knew he was going to win today.

  7. 'I love York'

    Zhao Xintong wins the UK Championship

    Zhao XintongBBC Two

    Zhao Xintong speaking on BBC Two: "I am just so happy. It was an exciting night tonight and I love York.

    "It was the biggest match for me and it was my first time, so I tried my best because it was Luca [Brecel]. I feel very, very happy now. I am very excited.

    "The UK Championship is a snooker theatre of dreams."

  8. Now time to hear from the champ, the third Chinese winner of a Triple Crown event.

  9. Zhao Xintong wins the UK Championship

    Runner-up Luca Brecel on BBC Two: "I had a game plan but it was not possible because he potted the first ball in every frame. He was unbeatable. He had a better run of the balls and I missed a few but he played unbelievably and deserves it.

    "It's been amazing to play in front of such a crowd. The atmosphere has been amazing and it's been a great week with some good results. I am back up the rankings into the top 16 I think and that's good."

  10. Right time to hear from the players...

  11. Zhao Xintong wins the UK Championship

    Zhao XintongPA Media

  12. Frame 15: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    Zhao Xintong is edging up towards a ton. In goes a red for 92, now a black. He's on 99 with a double coming up. That is a smidgen wide of the middle bag.

    Not that he cares. This match and the UK Championship are his.

  13. Frame 15: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    Stephen Hendry
    Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

    If Zhao Xintong keeps playing like this he will be at the business end of all the major tournaments from now on.

  14. Frame 15: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    Zhao Xintong looks so serene. In goes the black as he heads past the half-century mark.

    Can he finish in style with a 100 or more?

  15. Frame 15: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    Stephen Hendry
    Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

    Luca Brecel has been dominated by his opponent. When he made 133 in the second frame we thought he was just going to play like in the semi-final.

  16. Frame 15: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    This could all be over in a few minutes. Zhao Xintong is motoring around the table and gets to 28 in no time at all.

  17. Frame 15: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    What has Luca Brecel got left? Zhao Xintong is absolutely flying and floats a long red into the bottom left corner.

    The white was tight on the cushion. Snooker from the gods.

  18. 'His touch is exquisite'

    Frame 14: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    John Parrott
    1991 world champion on BBC Two

    There are lots of things to admire in Zhao Xintong - his break-building, the way he splits the pack, he's lovely to watch, his touch is exquisite, and when he needs power its effortless.

    I am still flabbergasted where he's been. Something must have gone wrong when you can play like that. What happened?

  19. Zhao moves within one frame of title

    Frame 14: Brecel 5-9 Zhao

    Zhao XintongPA Media

    Zhao Xintong looks like he has got this frame within his grasp. He is 46 ahead with 43 left on the table....

    He tidies up the colours. A break of 43 has sealed the frame.

  20. Frame 14: Brecel 5-8 Zhao

    Tell you what I'll raise you this. Horrible shot for Luca Brecel, who tries a hit and hope, playing with side off the left rail and smashing into a couple of reds. Nowt drops.

    .BBC Two