SHEFFIELD, England (AP) 鈥� Zhao Xintong’s title defense at the world snooker championship ended in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Chinese player, who became the , was beaten 13-10 by Shaun Murphy of England.
It means that still no first-time winner of the world championship has retained the title since the tournament moved to its spiritual home of the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, northern England, in 1977. In snooker circles, it is called the 鈥淐rucible curse.鈥�
鈥淎ll this season I have had big pressure but now it is gone,” Zhao said. “I trust myself to come back strongly.鈥�
There will be Chinese representation in the semifinals, though, in the form of 22-year-old Wu Yize, who beat 13-8. Vafaei had ousted top-ranked Judd Trump in the second round and said he was trying to bring happiness to his nation during the .
In the semifinals, Wu will play Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, who defeated two-time runner-up Barry Hawkins 13-11.
Murphy, the 2005 champion, will play four-time winner John Higgins of Scotland in the last four. Higgins advanced by beating Neil Robertson of Australia 13-10.
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