Zhao Xintong looked in ominous touch as he made light work of compatriot Long Zehuang in their first-round meeting at the UK Championship, running out an easy 6-1 victor on Monday.
The writing was on the wall when Zhao burst out of the gates with a silky run of 107 in frame one, and within the blink of an eye the scoreline read 4-0.
Further breaks of 68 and 51 allowed Zhao to head to the mid-session interval without a care in the world, unlike Long who was left to rue a missed green in the third frame when on course to get on the board.
It was dominant stuff from the world champion who is this week contesting his first BBC tournament since claiming Crucible glory back in the spring.
On this performance, he once again looks the man to beat as he bids to add to the UK title win he claimed in 2021.
4-0 soon became 5-0, this time thanks to a break of 59, though Long did finally have something to cheer about when pinching the sixth frame in bizarre fashion.
Zhao had made the early running, but Long did fantastically well to counter with 60, only to miss frame-ball pink.
In the end, a remarkable fluke when attempting to play safe kept the match alive, although only briefly, as Zhao quickly responded with 72 to put the finishing touches to a strong display.
The World Champion is looking DANGEROUS! 😏
— WST (@WeAreWST) December 1, 2025
Zhao Xintong showed his class in his 6-1 win over Long Zehuang...
Who thinks the 2021 UK Championship winner can add another York crown? 👑👇#UKChampionship pic.twitter.com/3DNM6wm7mr
Zhao told World Snooker Tour: "I felt really good about my game from the start. After the break I started to make some mistakes. I think it’s alright though.
"I was able to play at a good level in my first match. It will get better and better. I have greater confidence in myself now.
"We will see more and more afternoons like this in the future. The Chinese players are getting stronger. Another all-Chinese line-up will happen soon, for sure."
On the other table, Ding Junhui came through a tough match with Xu Si to win 6-4.
The three-time UK champion look sharp all afternoon and though at one stage pegged back to 3-3, he took charge with breaks of 92, 109 and 64 to sweep into the last 16.
Ding said: "I was a bit lucky to get the win today. He was struggling when play started but came back in the end.
"I am happy to win any match, but to have four players from China in a Triple Crown was fantastic.
"There are many young Chinese players now winning a lot. They are playing much better.
"I am trying to win as much as I can for the rest of my career. If I don't, then I won't get too disappointed looking back."
