Zhao is aiming to become China’s first-ever Crucible champion on Monday after following up his stunning 17-7 semi-final thrashing of legendary seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan with a dominant 7-1 opening session in the showpiece on Sunday.
50-year-old Williams – world champion in 2000, 2003 and 2018 – simply had no answers for the 2021 UK Championship winner, despite having delivered a superb performance to upset world No1 Judd Trump 17-14 in the last four to become the oldest finalist since the late Ray Reardon in 1982.
Resuming on Sunday night, the Welshman managed to improve and edge the second session 5-4, but has an almighty task to claw back an imposing 11-6 deficit from here with Zhao – technically competing as an amateur as he works his way back on the main tour following a 20-month ban from snooker – needing seven more frames in the best-of-35 match to become only the third qualifier in history to win the sport’s biggest prize, following in the footsteps of Shaun Murphy and Terry Griffiths.
The omens do not look good for Williams, who will need to become the first player ever to overcome an overnight five-frame deficit in the final to win the world title for the fourth time.
What time is the World Snooker Championship final today?
The 2025 World Snooker Championship final resumes on Monday May 5, with the third session beginning at 1pm BST at the Crucible in Sheffield.
If needed, a fourth and final session will commence from 7pm on Monday evening.
How to watch World Snooker Championship final
TV channel: In the UK, the World Snooker Championship final is being shown live on the BBC, with coverage beginning at 1pm on BBC Two on Monday and running through until 4pm. Coverage resumes from 7pm on the same channel.
Live stream: You can also watch the final live online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
