Great news! Snooker Champions League report: Wu Yize wins Group 6 title, Zhao Xintong scores first 147 break

On January 23rd Beijing time, the Snooker Champions League Invitational carried on with intense competition. In the much-watched Group 6 final, Chinese players Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize met head-to-head. After a thrilling encounter, Wu Yize, playing brilliantly, beat Zhao 3-1 to win the group crown. Zhao Xintong was again the runner-up, but notably, he recorded his first-ever 147 maximum break in his semifinal clash with Jack Jones, marking a significant personal milestone!

This Champions League is an invitational event with a relatively low prize fund, which reduces its appeal and causes many top players to overlook it, leading to less excitement overall. However, many Chinese players entered the tournament. Previously, Si Jiahui won a group title. Later, Zhao Xintong, Xiao Guodong, and Wu Yize, though unable to claim the Group 5 championship, all reached the semifinals, securing their spots in Group 6 to continue competing for the title. All three are very strong players, so this group stage was expected to be fierce. Indeed, each of them produced a 147 break during the group matches. Compared to Xiao Guodong and Wu Yize, Zhao Xintong’s 147 was especially significant. Facing World Championship runner-up Jack Jones, Zhao swept him 3-0 and made his career-first 147 maximum break, a major breakthrough. Ultimately, Zhao Xintong and Wu Yize advanced to the final to contest the group championship!

Since they know each other well, the match was bound to be tough. After the match started, Zhao Xintong built a large lead but couldn’t close it out. Wu Yize seized the chance with a 52-point break to edge the first frame 71-68 in a dramatic comeback, taking an early 1-0 lead. In the third frame, Zhao quickly responded with a 60+ break to level at 1-1. Crucially, in the third frame, Wu Yize’s precision surged as he scored a century break to go up 2-1 and reach the match point. In the fourth frame, Zhao started scoring but faltered again, allowing Wu Yize to capitalize with an 80-point break to secure the frame and the match 3-1. Wu Yize claimed the group title, while Zhao was unfortunately runner-up for the second consecutive group!

So far, six group champions have been decided. The competition for Group 7 is about to begin, but Zhao Xintong, after finishing runner-up twice in a row, has chosen to withdraw from the tournament!

Written by / Sports Novel