Zhao Xintong defeats Neil Robertson to win in Riyadh

World champion Zhao Xintong recorded a 5-2 victory over Neil Robertson to win the Riyadh Snooker Season Championship.

Chow becomes the 11th different winner of 11 events on the professional circuit this season and collects £250,000 for his success in Saudi Arabia.

While the opening two frames were split, Chow then compiled two impressive breaks of 131 and 134 as he scored the next three to open up a 4-1 lead.

Although Robertson made 91 to reduce his arrears, the 28-year-old Chinese sealed his victory with a half-century in the seventh frame.

“I didn’t want Neil to know that I was nervous. I was looking forward to this final a lot because Neil is a very good player and someone I wanted to play with. I’m very happy now,” Zhao said.

“It’s been amazing this week. It’s my first time in Saudi Arabia, and I saw a lot of people who were here for me.”

It was a comfortable ending for Zhao, who had earlier won 4-3 over world number one Judd Trump in the semi-finals.

In a seesaw match, Trump led 2-0 and 3-2, but Zhao, who scored the highest break of the week with 138 points against the English player, showed his determination.

Meanwhile, Robertson, who has looked rejuvenated over the past 18 months, was aiming to become the only player this season to win multiple titles after beating Mark Allen 4-1.

“I think some of the tired mistakes were very costly [against Zhao]. “I was well below the level I showed when I got to the final and he punished me very well,” Robertson said.

The Australian advanced past Allen after a brilliant clearance 73 in the fifth frame.

That was after the Northern Irishman had scored nine reds for the Lions but collapsed at 72 while attempting 147 – he could then have scored the unique 20-point Golden Ball for a break of 167 and a $1 million (£763,000) bonus.