Champion Zhao defeats Highfield after Virgo tributes

China’s reigning world snooker champion Zhao Xintong secured a 10-7 victory over England’s Liam Highfield in the opening round at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Zhao led 5-4 after the first session and extended his advantage by winning five of the next eight frames in the second session. The match took place on an emotional day marked by tributes to former player and commentator John Virgo, who passed away in February at age 79. Zhao will face either compatriot Ding Junhui or England’s David Gilbert in the last 16. Before the tournament began, a minute’s applause was held in Virgo’s honor, with many of the sport’s biggest names and the BBC television team paying their respects. Virgo was widely regarded as a beloved figure in snooker, known for his entertaining commentary and long-standing contribution to the sport. A memorial service was held at Sheffield Cathedral, near the Crucible, where former world champion Dennis Taylor described Virgo as a “great all-round entertainer” and noted the significant void his absence leaves at the venue. Highfield, ranked 92nd in the world, acknowledged the pressure of playing at the Crucible and praised Zhao’s performance, especially during the second session. Despite the loss, Highfield expressed pride in reaching the tournament after struggling to regain his tour card last year. Other notable matches included Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen trailing 3-5 against China’s Zhang Anda, and three-time world champion Mark Williams holding a 6-3 lead over Poland’s Antoni Kowalski, the first Polish player to compete at the Crucible. Zhao, who made history last year as the first Chinese player to win the World Championship, has enjoyed a strong season with four tournament victories, including three ranking events. His continued success underscores the growing prominence of Chinese players in the sport and adds to the anticipation surrounding his progress in this year’s championship.