World Snooker Championship 2025 final recap - Zhao Xintong becomes China's first world champion with landmark win over Mark Williams

It all boils down to this. The ageless Mark Williams takes on former UK titleholder Zhao Xintong for the world championship in a mouthwatering battle of the generations. Zhao completed a glorious 18-12 win over Williams to become China's landmark first world champion. Find out how he did it by following our live updates below, or by watching the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

'Seen something very special' - Zhao clinches title with thrilling win over Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

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Has been an epic 17 days, but we have a deserving winner on the night. An 18-12 win for Zhao Xintong, and you can read about it here on TNT Sports:

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Result: Williams 12-18 Zhao

Zhao getting his medal for victory and also getting handed the greatest trophy in the sport. A proud moment for Zhao Xintong, who will return next year to take on the infamous Crucible Curse.

Result: Williams 12-18 Zhao

"I can't believe it. I can't believe what I do in this month," said Zhao. "Very exciting. Thanks. Mark is still a top player. So much pressure. He's the best. I'm not tired. Maybe have a good drink tonight. Thank you to everyone that came here. Nice crowd."

Result: Williams 12-18 Zhao

"It has been a brilliant tournament for me," said Williams. "I've got nothing but admiration for what he's done to come through the qualifiers. Bashed me up, bashed Ronnie up. There is a new superstar of the game, and he is over there. I'm still playing some good stuff, but the night belongs to him. He deserves it."

Williams 12-17 Zhao (8-110)

Nice position to be in. Seeing off the balls in style. And that is a fabulous way for China's sporting hero to get the job done. A clearance of 87. And the national flag of China is paraded in Sheffield too.

Williams 12-17 Zhao (8-75)

And there goes the black that he needs for victory. A lap of honour now for Zhao in this frame.

Williams 12-17 Zhao (8-55)

Just a case of holding yourself together now. Zhao with a pot on a red that just struggles in.

Williams 12-17 Zhao (8-32)

All the balls are out in the open for Zhao to get this match won at this visit. All there for him now.

Williams 12-17 Zhao (8-23)

Well, there we have it. Only 23 coming off the cue off Zhao as a tough red to green bag doesn't drop. Williams coming back to the table, but he misses the cut on red in trying to drop it in with rest. That might be the end of the road.

Williams 12-17 Zhao (0-10)

First real chance for Zhao to get this win here and now as Mark can't prod him a long red. A few easy openers for Zhao to get this frame started.

Latest: Williams 12-17 Zhao (0-0)

'Excellent for the crowd' - Williams makes his 87th Crucible century to keep final with Zhao alive

Video credit: TNT Sports

Williams 11-17 Zhao (73-0)

A 73 break from Williams as he continues to battle hard. He has closed to 17-12 behind in this final. Interesting times as they head for the mid-session break.

Williams 11-17 Zhao (65-0)

Another supreme shot using rest to tuck away the red before blue is downed. In goes another fine shot with red using rest and the green then disappears. Zhao needs snookers in this frame, but he won't be back to the table as Willo slams in a double on red.

Williams 11-17 Zhao (43-0)

Williams confronting a choice of shots on the red. Nips in the red with the rest before dropping in the blue. Very nice from Mark to continue this visit to table. Incessant scoring at the moment as break hits 43.

Williams 11-17 Zhao (6-0)

Heading for frame 29 in this final. Zhao refusing to take on a tough cutback red above the black before Williams flukes a red trying to can a red. Red rattles off the jaws and comes back along top cushion to pot the red. Remarkable stuff. Plenty of roars in the Crucible.

Williams 10-17 Zhao (96-6)

Williams not quite making the century reaching the colours, but 96 will get the job done every day of the week. 96 and the final moves to 17-11.

Williams 10-17 Zhao (72-6)

In goes the black and red he requires to pick up another frame. Could be a second century on the go too tonight.

Williams 10-17 Zhao (51-6)

Mark on point so far in this break as he looks to snare a third straight frame. No sense of panic from Zhao, but Williams doesn't look like missing here. This was the form that he showed against Judd Trump.

Williams 10-17 Zhao (12-6)

Nice shot by Williams to control the positional shot off a red. Up for blue and suddenly black is freed up. What can he make here?

Williams 10-17 Zhao (0-6)

Off we go then for frame 28. Zhao waiting for the one chance which he needs to get this won. Williams with a double on red that comes back out, but Zhao only making six before he misses a tricky red.

Williams 9-17 Zhao (62-1)

This is excellent from Williams so far tonight. Nice little shot on blue and lands on red too. Could be a second straight frame on the go for the Welsh icon. In goes the red he needs as the insurance policy. Zhao concedes. Back to 17-10.

Williams 9-17 Zhao (44-1)

Another superb pot by Williams after Zhao can't follow up a thrilling long red with green failing to drop from distance.

Williams 9-17 Zhao (37-0)

Williams goes into the pack off blue, but lands on nothing. Just safety to follow. But a solid safety is produced by the three-time world champion.

Williams 9-17 Zhao (31-0)

Willo certainly looking a lot more like himself in this final session. Throwing caution to the wind. And has first prod at these balls. Continues the break with a lovely shot bridging over another red to pot a red.

Williams 8-17 Zhao (101-30)

101 break from Mark Williams, back to 17-9 behind. Just another nine frames like that needed.

Williams 8-17 Zhao (83-30)

Chance for Mark to open this session with a century. This has been impeccable from the Welshman. Very sharp.

Williams 8-17 Zhao (55-30)

Very nice from Williams in reaching 56. Should be a frame-winning contribution straight off the bat.

Williams 8-17 Zhao (19-30)

Zhao goes for a tough red to right, doesn't drop and chance is presented on a plate to Williams. Can he produce some scoring form at this visit? Has sadly eluded him in the final.

Williams 8-17 Zhao (0-30)

Thumps black in off the spot and white is brought back into pack, but can't land on a red and misses the object ball. So Williams will return. But nothing easy left so just the safety.

Williams 8-17 Zhao (0-8)

Zhao floats in a long red to get the party started in this 26th frame. Could we be set for one big finish here with a flourish? Wouldn't bet against it.

Welcome back to final night

Almost ready to go then as Zhao chases the frame he requires for victory in this world final. Looked like we wouldn't make it to the final session earlier today, but the Chinese player is one frame short of the title.

Latest: Williams 8-17 Zhao

We will be back at 7pm with the final chapter of this year's World Championship. A final that looked evenly matched has proved to be something close to a breeze for the man nicknamed 'The Cyclone'. One more frame required and the first Chinese and Asian winner of the sport's biggest title will be crowned.

Williams 8-16 Zhao (36-63)

Final pink doesn't drop, but it won't matter to Zhao, who is now one frame away from winning the world title this evening.

Williams 8-16 Zhao (36-38)

All turning into a bit of a nightmare for Mark Williams as a cut on red fails to find its way home. Bad, bad miss. Every chance for Zhao to mop up red and colours for a 17-8 lead.

Williams 8-16 Zhao (21-37)

Williams with a terrific pot on a red to left centre to gain access to the table. What a superb pot that is. Chance then for Williams to claw his way back in this frame.

Williams 8-16 Zhao (16-37)

Williams misses a thin clip on a red and Zhao responds by powering home a long red of his own. Looks like that could be the path towards a 6-2 winning session. But all very scrappy as the former UK champion misses a cut on a yellow. Williams isn't left with an easy red, and can't pick out potting angle on red. Zhao missing an easy red too. The competitive edge has been lost a bit in this final with Zhao so far in the distance.

Williams 8-16 Zhao (0-1)

A mishit from Williams and Zhao is up and running again, but he misses black off the spot after clipping in a long red.

Williams 8-15 Zhao (26-79)

A break of 67 this time from Zhao to the pink before he prods the white at pink with one arm. And one more frame to come in this session.

Williams 8-15 Zhao (26-65)

We are quickly heading for the death throes of this one-sided final with Williams waiting to be put of his misery here. Lovely final red in drained as break reaches 55.

Williams 8-15 Zhao (26-5)

Zhao goes for a long red, but off the potting angle and sticks up the red for Mark to get started with this visit to the table. Great recovery pot on a blue by Welshman to green bag. But he then misses a sitter of a red.

Williams 7-15 Zhao (84-14)

A nice closing break of Williams of 66 to earn his eighth frame of the final. Trails by seven with two frames to come this afternoon.

Williams 7-15 Zhao (46-14)

Williams handed another chance as Zhao fails to sink a long. Nice red to left middle and all the remaining reds are wide open. Chance to clear up these balls for his eighth frame of the day.

Williams 7-15 Zhao (18-1)

Mark with a brief run of 18. Zhao then misses a brown off spot, but no major damage done.

Williams 7-15 Zhao (18-1)

Another long red by Williams fails to find its range. But Zhao can't clip home a red over the yellow bag. Zhao far from at his best out there, but doing enough to tot up the frames.

Williams 7-14 Zhao (1-104)

A closing run of 52 from Zhao, who is eight frames ahead at 15-7. 23rd frame to come. A fourth and final session tonight must be in severe doubt.

Williams 7-14 Zhao (1-56)

Zhao misses a blue to left centre, but watches as he flukes it to the opposite pocket. Loses position, but Williams looks like a spent force here. Another red is left over green pocket and that will be an eight-frame lead.

Williams 7-14 Zhao (1-42)

Didn't see that coming as Zhao misses a red off side rail, but Williams only makes one before missing a black off the spot.

Williams 7-14 Zhao (0-37)

Zhao reaching 31, but doesn't get an ideal split on reds and red to yellow bag isn't there, but he returns to table after Williams can't drop in a plant on reds to right centre.

Williams 7-14 Zhao (0-15)

Another four frames to come in this third session. Zhao can become world champion this afternoon if he wins them all. Another excellent long red by Zhao is followed by a fluke on green. All going his way out there.

Latest: Williams 7-14 Zhao (0-0)

'Has there ever been a more fearless potter?' - Zhao sinks pair of amazing reds against Williams

Video credit: TNT Sports

Williams 7-13 Zhao (45-85)

A 14-7 lead for Zhao in this final as the Chinese player mops up the final red and colours. Williams nowhere near the level he needs to be at in this final. Zhao just taking the chances that come his way.

Williams 7-13 Zhao (45-49)

Down to the final two reds, but Zhao for once can't make the winning thrust. Sticks a red over a top bag in missing the pot. But Williams ends up knocking white in swerving to pot the red. Leaves a free ball and that could be curtains here.

Williams 7-13 Zhao (45-32)

Fair to say, Zhao has not been punished by O'Sullivan in the semi-finals or Williams in the final. Also getting a run of the ball too. Which helps. Another chance for Zhao to win another frame here.

Williams 7-13 Zhao (45-0)

Mark into the pack of reds off black. Brings a couple out, but then can't open up the pack of reds off the brown. Nice run of 45, but far from decisive move in this frame.

Williams 7-13 Zhao (25-0)

Superb opening red by Williams early in the 21st frame. Needs to take out this frame to head for the mid-session break back to only five behind. Which is how they began this session.

Williams 7-12 Zhao (7-65)

A black disappearing sees Mark concede the frame and the six-frame lead is restored. Demanding chasing this level of play by Zhao.

Williams 7-12 Zhao (7-58)

But the white ball is far from under close control. A stunning pot on a red down a side rail to continue the break rectifies the situation, and he then slams in another super long red to leave Williams needing a snooker. Amazing levels of play.

Williams 7-12 Zhao (7-30)

An aggressive safety shot by Mark brings reds into play. Manages to cover a red to one pocket, but Zhao produces a stunning long red to the other pocket. Nice nudge on brown too. So another chance to weigh in with a few points. Opens up the remaining cluster of reds off blue. Looks like chance to win frame for a 13-7 lead.

'Just too good' - Zhao counters Williams safety with brilliant pot

Video credit: TNT Sports

Williams 6-12 Zhao (66-18)

Stunning pot on a red by Williams, and he concludes with a nice little cameo knock as black is dropped in. Zhao can't find a safety in response and Williams mops up the balls he requires to close back to five frames. Really scrappy frame, but Williams scrapping to keep stay alive in this final. Back to 12-7.

Williams 6-12 Zhao (28-18)

A chance presents itself to Willo seconds later, but he ends up missing pink to left centre. The performance against Judd Trump has not been there in this final so far and he is running out of frames to retrieve the situation. But Zhao again breaks down by missing a red off side cushion to give the Welshman fresh hope.

Williams 6-12 Zhao (15-11)

Williams misses a tough mid-range red, but Zhao then can't can a red to right centre. Willo responds with a terrific pot on a long red bridging over the green. Rolls up behind the brown to lay a tough snooker. And Zhao hits black on first go.

Williams 6-12 Zhao (7-11)

Couple of early reds from Williams, but not much coming off them before Zhao manages to drop in a long red. Zhao can't get pack of reds open off green. Another safety is the option.

Williams 6-11 Zhao (5-76)

Williams had his chance. Couldn't take it, and Zhao puts away another frame to lead 12-6. Another seven frames to be played in this afternoon sesh. So almost not impossible for Zhao to get the match won this avo chasing six frames for victory.

Williams 6-11 Zhao (5-52)

Superb plant is picked out on two reds by Mark before he drains a green. Into the reds off another red, but then misses a blue to right centre. And you can't be missing those at this stage of the final. Could cost him the frame.

Williams 6-11 Zhao (0-46)

This bloke already looks like he is straight up to the pace of the table. Could be a one-visit hit if Zhao cracks open the pack off black. But he can't make the correct connection. Not on a red. So looks like end of break. Just the roll back to baulk to follow.

Williams 6-11 Zhao (0-15)

Early long red by Zhao is drained straight off the bat. Followed by a tidy blue. Start as you mean to go on.

Welcome back to the final day

Boys on baize at around 10 past 1. Almost ready to get these balls rocking and rolling. Zhao Xintong starts the day five frames ahead, but Zhao is still seven frames short of the winning line. So not impossible. As you would expect, Zhao is odds on, but there is work to be done today. Williams will be hoping to emulate the form he displayed against Judd Trump in the semi-finals.

'A super-tense end' - Williams snatches final frame of evening against Zhao

Video credit: TNT Sports

Report: Mark Williams takes fight to Zhao Xintong in session two

After being comprehensively outplayed in session one, Mark Williams breathed life into the World Championship final against Zhao Xintong on Sunday evening.

Williams saw Zhao win seven of the eight frames on Sunday afternoon to take a stranglehold on the final.

Four-session matches offer up the prospect of ebbs and flows and that was the case on Sunday evening, as Williams upped his level to win the session 5-4 to cut the gap to 11-6.

Read the full report here.