He had struggled in rating occasions this season, failing to go previous the second spherical in 9 of the earlier 11, however has discovered success in non-ranking occasions, successful the Riyadh Season Championship in November and making the final 4 of the Shanghai Masters and Champion of Champions.

“I do not really feel that I’ve fully lifted the stress of enjoying as world champion but,” stated Zhao, who continued his 100% report in rating finals, making it 4 wins out of 4.

“Mentally I nonetheless really feel there’s room to be taught from the very high gamers. This season thus far, though I’ve had some good outcomes, I really feel that my total consistency hasn’t been as robust as the perfect.”

He made successive breaks of 130 and 145 within the sixth and seventh frames, however 34-year-old Zhang, chasing a second rating title in his fourth ultimate, knocked in 4 breaks of greater than 50 as the primary session was shared 4-4.

Zhao raised his stage additional within the night session, scoring closely to take three of the subsequent 4 frames, opening a 7-5 lead with a break of 111.

World quantity 23 Zhang was on for a most 147 break within the thirteenth body after potting 10 reds and 9 blacks, however he broke down on 73.

Zhao restored his two-frame benefit with a 134 break and hit 65 to maneuver inside one in every of victory earlier than sealing the win and £180,000 winner’s prize with a 131 clearance.

It proved a becoming end to what has been a landmark event for Chinese language snooker, producing the primary all-Chinese language semi-final line-up at a rating occasion, whereas 9 of the gamers within the final 16 in Hong Kong hailed from the host nation.