Mark Williams would not be surprised to see more Chinese world champions in the years to come, seeing Wu Yize as ‘not far away’ from the new Crucible king Zhao Xintong. Zhao beat Williams 18-12 in the final in Sheffield on Monday night, ending China ’s wait for a world champion on the baize.

Zhao Xintong was crowned China’s first world snooker champion on a defining night for the sport in Sheffield and his vanquished opponent Mark Williams believes the sky is the limit for the new Crucible king.

Zhao Xintong became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship with a victory over Welshman and three-times winner Mark Williams at the Crucible Theatre on Monday, the latest chapter in Zhao's remarkable rise and fall story.