Zhao Xintong showed he is in very decent nick going into his Masters debut next week, winning all eight of his matches at the Championship League, which he described as ‘perfect preparation’ for Alexandra Palace.
The 24-year-old dropped just four frames in six wins in Group 3 of the Championship League, beating Mark Selby, Stuart Bingham, Xiao Guodong, Lu Ning, Joe Perry and Ryan Day, before downing Bingham and Xiao again to progress to the Winners’ Group.
Behind-closed-doors at Leicester’s Morningside Arena is a far cry from a full Alexandra Palace, where Zhao will face John Higgins on Monday, but it does no harm to his confidence as he heads to London.
The UK champion was delighted with his performances and intends to keep up the practice ahead of the big clash with the Wizard of Wishaw.
‘I played very well over the two days,’ said Zhao. ‘I just wanted to play as I do in practice.
‘I am waiting for the Masters and I want to play more. In this final, I played very well. It was perfect preparation. I will practice more now as I wait for the Masters.’
After his stunning UK Championship win last month there was a swift return to earth as Zhao was beaten in the first round of the World Grand Prix by Martin Gould, but the Cyclone appears to be back on course again.
His credentials will be sorely tested on Monday against Higgins, who has not missed an edition of the Masters since making his debut in the competition in 1995, winning the event twice.
There is more Championship League action over Wednesday and Thursday as Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson and Scott Donaldson join Group Four alongside Selby, Lu, Xiao and Bingham.
The Masters first round schedule
Sunday 9 Jan
13:00 Yan Bingtao v Mark Williams
19:00 Neil Robertson v Anthony McGill
Monday 10 Jan
13:00 John Higgins v Zhao Xintong
19:00 Shaun Murphy v Barry Hawkins
Tuesday 11 Jan
13:00 Ronnie O’Sullivan v Jack Lisowski
19:00 Mark Selby v Stephen Maguire
Wednesday 12 Jan
13:00 Judd Trump v Mark Allen
19:00 Kyren Wilson v Stuart Bingham
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