Zhao Xintong vs. John Higgins: Xintong Ready to Give A Tough Fight

Following Robert Milkins' victory at the Gibraltar Open, John Higgins' spot in the Tour Championship field was secured. He will face Zhao Xintong in the first round.

The event featured the top eight on the one-year list, with Zhao in first place thanks to a successful season that included victories at the UK Championship and German Masters.

Long regarded as one of the game's brightest prospects, he won his first ranking title (as well as his first Triple Crown championship) in the 2021 UK Championship, defeating Luca Brecel 10–5 in the final. With this victory, he climbed into the top 16 of the world rankings for the first time, at number nine, and qualified for his first Masters.

He won his second ranking championship less than two months later when he defeated Yan Bingtao 9–0 in the 2022 German Masters final. Zhao became the third player in professional snooker history, following Steve Davis and Neil Robertson, to win a two-session ranking final without losing a frame.

Higgins held the eighth and final spot by a hair's breadth, and a win for Kyren Wilson in the final in Gibraltar would have seen him overtaken by the Warrior.

Milkins' unexpected victory prompted the Scot to purchase a ticket to Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The 46-year-old, who was announced as the winner of the £150,000 European Series prize earlier on Saturday, will need to put on his skates since he will be the first to play on Monday.

In this match, we are positive that John Higgins will win and get to the next round defeating Zhao Xintong. The chances are that Zhao would not make it easy for Higgins.

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