Zhao Xintong levels match at 8-8

In the quarter-finals of the 2026 Snooker World Championship, defending champion Zhao Xintong is facing Shaun Murphy. Zhao trailed Murphy 3-5 after the first session, but responded quickly in the second session to level the match at 8-8. The third session will be played at 9:30 p.m. Beijing time on April 29.

In the first session, Zhao started in good form and took a 3-0 lead. After that, his form dropped and he made a series of mistakes. Murphy took his chances and turned the score around to lead 5-3.

In the second session a few hours later, Zhao and Murphy continued in the same vein as in the first session, with each winning two frames. Murphy led 7-5 going into the mid-session interval. After the break, Zhao found his form and touch again, and with 62 points in frame 13, a 117 break in frame 15, and 102 points in a tactical battle in frame 16, he fought back to level the overall score at 8-8, bringing both players back to the same starting line.

In the third session, whoever is the first to win five frames will advance to the semi-finals.