Zhao turned out to be the dominant force throughout the final, fending off a late Williams rally to win 18-12. He was China's first world champion at the age of 28.

Nick Metcalfe has penned his final column of 2025, reflecting on a memorable year in the sport which saw snooker welcome its first Chinese world champion.

Chris Wakelin came close to withdrawing from the Scottish Open after his one-year-old daughter Mia was rushed to hospital ...