‘He broke my heart being caught up in scandal’ – ‘Chinese Ronnie O’Sullivan’ left rival in pieces with corruption ban

SNOOKER prima Zhao Xintong near a chap subordinate "heartbroken" owed to his engagement successful a match-fixing scandal.

The 27-year-old cueist was tipped to vie for the biggest prizes successful the athletics aft winning the UK Championship successful 2021.

But successful June 2023, helium was banned for 20 months alongside 9 different Chinese players.

Zhao, who received the shortest punishment, did not hole a lucifer himself but was caught up successful the scandal for betting connected a crippled helium knew was rigged.

He has present served his prohibition and is backmost dominating the amateur tour.

His performances earned him a wildcard to the UK Championship qualifying, cruising done to the main draw.

Ahead of his instrumentality successful York, chap snooker prima Dave Gilbert was asked astir his comeback.

The erstwhile apical 10 subordinate said: "He was the 1 who broke my heart, being caught up successful each that scandal.

"He is an unthinkable player. He’s a beauteous lad, I don’t cognize the kid, but helium was ever smiling and happy.

"Beautiful subordinate to watch, got each the shots, helium was the star, helium was the Chinese Ronnie.

"He wasn’t done for match-fixing was he? Betting connected matches that helium knew were bent. I don’t deliberation it is great, but we person each got mixed up and made mistakes.

‘But I decidedly consciousness similar if radical threw matches and person prospered from them, I don’t privation to spot them again, elemental arsenic that."

Zhao faces erstwhile satellite champ Shaun Murphy successful the opening circular of the UK Championship.