Brutal honesty! Yue Yunpeng says he hopes Ding Junhui wins the world title, but Zhao Xintong looks steadier against Murphy

On April 26, Zhao Xintong defeated Ding Junhui 13–9 in a high-profile all-Chinese clash at the World Snooker Championship. After the match, comedian Yue Yunpeng shared his thoughts, reflecting the mixed emotions of many fans.

The match represented a symbolic passing of the torch between generations. Ding showed one of his strongest performances in recent years, but Zhao’s exceptional long-potting and attacking form ultimately proved decisive.

Ding’s elimination once again highlights a long-standing regret—despite over two decades at the World Championship, he has yet to claim the title, leaving an unfulfilled dream for both himself and Chinese fans.

Yue Yunpeng expressed this sentiment: “Like many fans, I’ve always hoped Ding would win the world title. It’s the only missing piece in his career.” At the same time, he praised Zhao’s form, calling his previous championship win a moment of pride.

Balancing emotion with analysis, Yue added that Zhao, given his current form, may have a better chance against top opponents: “It’s a tough feeling—I want Ding to go further, but Zhao is in better shape this year.”

Zhao will next face Shaun Murphy in the quarterfinals. Murphy has already eliminated Chinese players Fan Zhengyi and Xiao Guodong, adding extra intrigue to the matchup.