Steve Davis is backing Zhao Xintong to get the better of Ding Junhui in the second round of the World Snooker Championship, suggesting the Lion King tells you all you need to know about what will happen.
The Clash of Chinese Snooker Stars
The last 16 clash is an appealing clash between the relatively new superstar of Chinese snooker and the man who started the baize bonanza in the country. Ding’s victory at the 2005 China Open, where at 17 years old he beat Stephen Hendry in the final, launched the Chinese snooker boom which ultimately led to Zhao winning the 2025 World Championship. On his eighth birthday, Zhao watched Ding lift that trophy and that inspired him to pursue a career with a cue, which took him all the way to the pinnacle of the sport last year.
While Ding has enjoyed an incredible career, winning 15 ranking titles, he has not landed the World Championship, with Zhao becoming the first Crucible king from China when he beat Mark Williams 12 months ago. They meet this year in Sheffield with Zhao the hot favourite to, not only beat Ding, but go on and defend his world title.
Davis's Lion King Analogy
Six-time world champion Davis thinks the Cyclone will down the Dragon and suggested the story is set out in the Lion King. ‘Fantastic they’re playing each other. I’m not too sure who’s going to be the most positive going into the match really,’ Davis said on the BBC. ‘I feel like Xintong’s going to win. Just watch the film Lion King, that’s what happens.’
How this analogy works is a little unclear. Is Zhao the villainous Scar slaying the noble Mufasa? Or is he the heroic Simba taking vengeance on Scar? Either way, the world champ is taking down a lion and that lion is Ding Junhui.
Davis's Confidence in Zhao
Speaking on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips, Davis said of the contest: ‘Now I think Xintong beats Ding Junhui all day long. I think a mental shift would have happened in China. I don’t think Ding Junhui, even as the underdog, would play well against Xintong. I would imagine that there’s something going on there, where everybody knows now who’s the master. That’s nothing against Ding Junhui.’
The pair have met six times as professionals, but only once since 2019, with Zhao winning 6-1 at the Shanghai Masters last year.
Ding's Form and Outlook
Ding’s form arriving at the World Championship was largely unknown as he has not been seen much in the second half of the season. Before his opening win over Dave Gilbert at the Crucible he hadn’t won a match in a ranking event since December. However, he looked great in the win over the Angry Farmer, even if it came as a shock to him.
‘Yes a bit surprised,’ he said. ‘The last tournament in Hong Kong I didn’t play like this. I’m not doing well this season. I tried to find the balance of my practice, I’m doing good in practice and I plan to do something else to improve my game. But it’s not that quick, I’m just waiting to play well. It looks like it’s working good, but practice is different to playing someone in tournaments. You’ve got pressure and everything becomes bad again. I don’t want to push hard on myself. I was so rushed to try to play well, but it’s not a good way to go.’
The two Chinese superstars play over three sessions on Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
