The 24-year-old beats the Belgian 10-5 at the York BarbicanChina now holds two of three ‘triple crown’ snooker titlesZhao Xintong completed a 10-5 win over Luca Brecel to claim the
UK Championship crown in York. The manner of his win over Brecel suggested many more major titles could flow his way.
![China’s Zhao Xintong beats Luca Brecel to claim UK Snooker Championship](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/95920057b4dd5075c81a43cd64b366dd3ee3fac2/0_217_3500_2101/master/3500.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=e01175228523bb7e41f3a57b5b018a3a)
Zhao’s victory means
China currently holds two of the three ‘triple crown’ titles, after Yan Bingtao’s Masters triumph earlier this year - and hinted at a seismic shift in the sport’s balance of power. Zhao and Brecel had ripped up the established order in their respective semi-finals, Brecel beating Kyren Wilson, while Zhao defeated Barry Hawkins.