The Players Championship final, a high-stakes snooker match held in Telford, concluded with Zhao Xintong defeating veteran John Higgins. The match was marked by a close contest, with both players exchanging frames throughout the best-of-19-frames final. The total prize money for the event was £150,000.
The Players Championship final pitted two accomplished snooker players against each other: John Higgins, a seasoned professional with multiple major titles, and Zhao Xintong, a younger player noted for his attacking style and recent successes. The event, held at the Telford International Centre, featured a format requiring players to win ten frames to secure the championship. The match was broadcast live, with updates tracking the frame-by-frame progression of the contest.
Key Developments in the Final
The Players Championship final saw a back-and-forth battle between John Higgins and Zhao Xintong. Early in the match, Higgins established a lead, winning the first two frames to go up 2-0. However, Zhao demonstrated resilience, fighting back to level the score at 2-2 and subsequently at 3-3. The momentum continued to shift, with Higgins retaking the lead at 3-2 and then again at 4-4. The match was described as "tight," with both players demonstrating their skill.
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Early Advantage for Higgins: John Higgins took the initial lead in the final, winning the first frame and then doubling his advantage to 2-0.
Zhao's Comeback: Zhao Xintong responded by winning two consecutive frames, bringing the score level at 2-2.
Exchange of Frames: The match saw a continuous exchange of frames, with the score becoming tied at 3-3 and later at 4-4. Higgins secured a 3-2 lead after the fifth frame, while Zhao leveled the score again in the sixth frame.
Performance Data and Frame Progression
The provided summaries offer a frame-by-frame breakdown of key moments in the final. While a complete final score is not universally detailed across all sources, the sequence of events indicates a closely contested match.
| Frame | Higgins Score | Zhao Score | Match Score (Higgins-Zhao) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 65 | 1-0 | |
| 2 | 82 | 26 | 2-0 |
| 3 | 121 | 2-1 | |
| 4 | 66 | 2-2 | |
| 5 | 83 | 3-2 | |
| 6 | 82 | 3-3 | |
| 7 | 81 | 3-4 | |
| 8 | 111 | 11 | 4-4 |
| Final | ? | ? | 7-10 (from Article 2) |
Article 1 details the score up to 4-4, highlighting the frame exchanges. It also mentions Zhao squaring matters at 5-5 with an 88-14 frame win, suggesting the match went beyond the eighth frame and that a final score was eventually reached.
Article 2 directly states the final score as John Higgins 7:10 Zhao Xintong. This implies Zhao ultimately won the required ten frames.
Background and Tournament Context
The Players Championship is a significant event in the snooker calendar, featuring top players from the one-year rankings. Both finalists had secured their place in the final through challenging semi-final matches.
Semi-Finals: Zhao Xintong reached the final by defeating Mark Allen 6-5. John Higgins advanced after a deciding frame victory against Judd Trump, the World No. 1.
Previous Encounters: Zhao and Higgins had met earlier in the month at the World Grand Prix, where Zhao won their last-16 encounter 5-3. Zhao also defeated Higgins en route to a recent success in Hong Kong.
Zhao's Form: Zhao Xintong, described as the reigning world champion, had also won the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship and the World Grand Prix in recent weeks. His ability to produce "moments of magic" was noted as a key factor in his performances during the tournament.
Expert and Media Commentary
Media reports focused on the close nature of the final and the performances of both players. The competitive spirit and the high level of play were consistently highlighted.
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"Both players could lay claim to the notion that it’s their destiny to win the title this year." - SnookerHQ.com
"Zhao Xintong has battled back from two frames behind earlier in the day." - Express.co.uk
The description of Zhao's game emphasizes his capacity for strong performances, suggesting that when he plays consistently from the start, he is a formidable opponent. His ability to "flick an internal switch" was cited as a reason for his success in overcoming difficult situations during the tournament.
Conclusion and Implications
Zhao Xintong's victory in the Players Championship final represents a significant achievement in his career. His triumph over the experienced John Higgins underscores his growing status in the sport. The final was characterized by its close scores and the impressive comeback efforts shown by Zhao.
Player Performance: The match demonstrated Zhao's tenacity and ability to perform under pressure, especially after falling behind in the early frames.
Tournament Significance: The Players Championship victory adds another major title to Zhao's recent accolades, including the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship and the World Grand Prix.
Future Outlook: Zhao's consistent performances and demonstrated ability to win major titles suggest he will remain a key contender in future snooker events.
Sources Used
Express.co.uk: Provided frame-by-frame updates and a summary of the match progression, confirming Zhao's eventual victory.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2173964/snooker-score-live-john-higgins-zhao-xintong-players-championship
Filmogaz.com: Offered context on the match format, semi-final results, and background on the players' previous encounters and recent form.
SnookerHQ.com: Contributed commentary on Zhao's performance and his overall trajectory in snooker, highlighting his recent successes and playing style.
https://snookerhq.com/2026/02/22/players-championship-final-2026-john-higgins-zhao-xintong/
Flashscore.com: Explicitly stated the final score of the match.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/snooker/higgins-john-SEI1iLWm/xintong-zhao-xOX0V4pf/
BBC Sport: Provided a list of results for the tournament, including the semi-final matches of both finalists.
