On April 30 Beijing time, the World Snooker Championship quarterfinals are in full swing. Two second-session matches have just concluded. China’s star Zhao Xintong displayed unstoppable form, taking a commanding 12–4 lead over Chris Wakelin. Meanwhile, in a fierce showdown between two world champions, John Higgins and Mark Williams are tied at 8–8 after a dramatic battle.

Zhao Xintong vs. Chris Wakelin
Both players have been dark horses in this year’s tournament—now it’s a matter of who proves to be the darker horse. Zhao Xintong entered the tournament as an unranked amateur. At the start, Wakelin made the first move with a brilliant 93-point break to win the opening frame and lead 1–0. However, Zhao quickly responded with a powerful all-around performance, firing off a lightning-fast streak of six consecutive frames to go up 6–1. The pace of the match then slowed, with Wakelin grinding out three frames in a row to narrow the gap to 4–6. But Zhao soon rediscovered his rhythm, combining offense and defense to deliver another impressive six-frame streak. With a 12–4 lead after two sessions, he now has one foot in the semifinal door—it’s fair to say he has virtually secured his spot. Zhao's current form is simply red-hot!

John Higgins vs. Mark Williams
No introductions needed for these two legends—both in their 50s and still razor-sharp. This match is a true battle of wits and endurance. Higgins came out flying, producing four breaks over 50 points to claim a dream 5–1 lead. But Williams wasn't about to back down. He hit back with a century break and four more 50+ breaks, pulling off a 6–1 run to overturn the score and take a 7–6 lead. Sensing the shift, Higgins responded by winning two straight frames to reclaim the lead at 8–7. Yet in frame 16, Williams fired a 65-point break to level the match at 8–8. After two sessions, the two are locked in a dead heat—what a ferocious battle!

Other Matches:
Elsewhere, two other quarterfinals have completed their first sessions. China’s rising star Si Jiahui trails Ronnie O’Sullivan 2–6, making his path to the semifinals extremely challenging. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Judd Trump holds a 5–3 lead over Belgian star Luca Brecel and currently has the upper hand.