Overview

• Zhao Xintong defeated 2024 runner-up Jak Jones 10-4, securing his place in the last 16 as an amateur following a 20-month betting ban.
• Lei Peifan shocked defending champion Kyren Wilson 10-9 in the first round, continuing the 'Crucible Curse,' where no first-time champion has retained their title since 1977.
• The upcoming match between Zhao and Lei guarantees a Chinese player in the quarter-finals, marking a milestone for the record ten Chinese participants in this year's tournament.
• Veteran Mark Williams, battling deteriorating eyesight, overcame Wu Yize 10-8 to reach the last 16 for the 22nd time in his career.
• Zhao's resurgence, bolstered by laser eye surgery and a strong performance through qualifying rounds, positions him as a potential contender for China's first world snooker title.