Zhao Xintong’s World Grand Prix Victory and Ranking Impact.
Zhao Xintong has won the 2026 World Grand Prix, defeating fellow Chinese cueist Zhang Anda 10–6 in the final in Hong Kong, securing the £180,000 top prize and his first ranking title of the season.
The victory has boosted Zhao up the official World Snooker Tour rankings. According to the latest post-tournament standings, Zhao has climbed to world number seven, just one place shy of his career high (previously number six before his suspension from the professional tour).
This improvement is significant: Zhao had started the season outside the very top tier in terms of ranking points, with mixed results prior to Hong Kong. His Grand Prix success is a timely lift as ranking points accrued from ranking events directly influence seedings and qualification for elite end-of-season tournaments like the Players Championship and Tour Championship.
Broader Ranking Movements
While full official figures for all players won’t be published until the World Snooker Tour releases its next complete rankings update, a few key impacts are clear:
Judd Trump remains at or near the top of the world rankings following his German Masters triumph last week, cementing his role as the player to beat in the 2025-26 season.
Zhang Anda’s run to the World Grand Prix final has also helped his ranking position — particularly in the one-year “season list” used to determine entries into the Players Series — meaning he and Zhao will both be assured qualification for the upcoming Players Championship.
• Other top names like Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Kyren Wilson remain within elite contention in the official two-year rankings, but races for the next tier of season-based ranking spots are tight as players jostle for places at major late-season events.
At the same time, snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has dropped out of the global top 10 due to limited tournament participation and early exits in recent events — a notable shift given his long-standing presence among the elite.
Why This Matters for the Season
Snooker’s ranking system is based on prize money earned over a rolling two-year period on the World Snooker Tour. Big wins at ranking events like the World Grand Prix translate directly into ranking points. Consequently:
Zhao’s title improves his seedings and eligibility for major end-of-season tournaments.
It enhances his position in the one-year ranking list, important for qualification for limited-field events like the Players and Tour Championships.
It consolidates his resurgence following his historic world championship win in 2025, which also propelled him into the upper echelons of the sport.
This World Grand Prix title adds to Zhao’s growing stature as one of snooker’s leading figures, with implications not only for rankings but also for global interest in the sport — particularly from China, where his performances have been celebrated widely.
Looking Ahead
With the Players Championship and Tour Championship coming up later this season — followed by the 2026 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield — the rankings race is far from over. Zhao’s rise back into the top tier illustrates the dynamic nature of the sport and sets up a compelling run-in to the season’s biggest stages.
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