We're going to pause this live text commentary for a couple of hours and we will be back at about 18:45 BST for the second session of the 2025 final.

Another nine frames will be played this evening, with the action scheduled to start at 19:00 BST.

What does Mark Williams have left?

He was outstanding in seeing off world number one Judd Trump in his semi-final - can the 50-year-old find one last effort to fight his way back into this contest?

Image source, PA Media

The points score in that first session was 678-258 in favour of Zhao Xintong.

Zhao knocked in two century breaks and four more of 50 and above, while Williams only passed 50 in a break once - and that effort of 61 didn't even win him that frame.

These are the most recent Crucible champions - is Zhao Xintong about to add his name to this list?

Zhao Xintong is playing as an amateur at this World Championship and needed to come through four rounds of qualifying because of the impact of his 20-month suspension.

But we really should not be surprised at the quality of his play during this tournament - he is a former UK Championship winner and was well inside the top 10 in the world rankings before his ban.

Ronnie O'Sullivan said Zhao could be snooker's new "megastar" if he becomes the first world champion from China - and he's getting closer.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC One

It's incredible. Zhao is almost born to play here, he plays so beautifully and hits the ball so well.

He's destroying one of the icons of the game at the moment. He looks very relaxed. Mark has had his chances and hasn't taken them.

If Mark does start a little comeback, it can have an effect on his opponent.

A stunning scoreline at the end of the first session.

Image source, PA Media

That fantastic plant sets Zhao Xintong away on what will be a frame-winning contribution.

A 7-1 lead puts the 28-year-old in a sensational position as he bids to become China's first world snooker champion.

When you have the luxury of a 6-1 lead, you can afford to take a few risks. Zhao Xintong pots a plant to the corner that he had no right to get, and I'm sure he wouldn't have attempted if the scoreline was more even.

"All out attack - I love it," says Stephen Hendry.

Great chance.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC One

If you have got any signs of fatigue, playing badly just exaggerates it.

At the break between frames, Steve Davis says he thinks Mark Williams may be in a similar position to him when he reached the 2005 UK Championship final as a 48-year-old.

"It was a leap too far for me," says Davis, who lost on that occasion to a teenage Ding Junhui.

Back on the table, Zhao Xintong flukes the opening red of frame eight and a safety battle follows.

Worrying times for Mark Williams and his supporters as Zhao Xintong knocks in a 104 break.

Stephen Hendry says it's probably the worst he's seen Zhao play in this tournament and he's 6-1 ahead in a race to 18.

Mark Williams fought back from 7-3 down to beat Judd Trump in his semi-final and he's going to need to do something similar if he's going to win the final.

Zhao Xintong compiles another half-century and is about to go 6-1 in front.

These two players have guaranteed themselves a minimum £200,000 for reaching the final, with £500,000 on offer to the winner.

After Zhao Xintong misses a blue off the spot, another chance slips by for Mark Williams. What would usually have been a routine starting red to the corner doesn't drop.

Zhao takes the first opportunity to bring a few reds into play and he's got a superb chance for a 6-1 lead.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC One

Image source, PA Media

Mark is off it this afternoon and Zhao Xintong could really put a marker down. He'll be eyeing up a 7-1 advantage - or 6-2 minimum. I wouldn't want to give this guy a four-frame advantage.

A careless safety shot from Zhao Xintong leaves Mark Williams with a chance of a tricky red with the rest into the corner.

Williams leaves it over the pocket and Zhao is in again.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC One

These couple of frames before the end of the session are so important now for Mark Williams.

The answer is yes. A "body blow" for Mark Williams, says Dennis Taylor in commentary.

Zhao Xintong clears up to and including the pink to ensure he will be ahead at the end of the first session.

The question now is by how many frames Zhao will be leading when they return for the second session at 19:00 BST.

Mark WIlliams is unable to cut in the penultimate red so his break ends on 61, giving him a lead of 24.

The red stays over the pocket - can Zhao Xintong pinch frame six?