SHAUN MURPHY first realised how massive Zhao Xintong is in his homeland when he saw a “100-foot poster” of the Chinese superstar.
But he plans to be a giant-killer over the next few days – and inflict the Crucible Curse on the defending champion.
Shaun Murphy is plotting a giant killing against Zhao Xintong this week Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Murphy said he recently realised how much of a superstar Xintong is in China Credit: Alamy
Xintong, 29, became the first Asian world champion when he lifted the title 11 months ago, albeit as an amateur following his involvement in a corruption sting.
Though he spends a lot of time in England, he routinely goes back to China – mainly to see his fluffball Pom-Shi dog and family – and he is treated like a God there.
Murphy, 43, said: “The first time I went to China after his win last year, I walked through baggage claim, got my luggage and went out into arrivals.
“I think it was Shanghai Airport and I was met by a massive 100-foot poster of Xintong advertising a car brand.
“He’s just a full-on A-list celebrity in China. That’s the way is seen.
“It’s always been seen as a very achievement-based sport, an elitist sport over there. They respect it.
“They love snooker over there and they have a great reverence for the snooker players in China.
“Xintong is reaping all those rewards, as he should. If you’re world champion, then you deserve that.”
Xintong became the first Asian world champion last year Credit: Alamy The narrative of his title defence is whether Xintong can do what all the greats of the sport tried but failed.
No first-time winner has defended the World Championship in Sheffield.
Xintong, who lives in the Steel City, is three wins away from excorising that hoodoo.
Murphy tried in 2006 when he returned to the Theatre as the reigning champion but he was beaten by his now coach Peter Ebdon 13-7 in the last eight.
Twenty years on, he English potter is determined to add the Cyclone name to that long list of victims.
The Magician said: “Listen, I got to the quarters on my defence and I started to think I was going to beat the Curse as well.
“Funny enough, it was my cornerman now, Peter Ebdon, who stopped me in my tracks. So there’s all of these little funny little storylines going on.
“Someone said to me before the event, if it’s not going to be yourself, who do you think will win?
“And I think it will be Xintong. He just looks great and he’s a lovely lad away from the table.
“He’s just so nice in play, the way he wanders around the table, all the balls disappear. It seems so easy on the eye. I just hope I don’t have to watch him too much.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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