Players Championship: Zhao Xintong produces commanding finish to beat John Higgins

Zhao Xintong produced a commanding finish to beat John Higgins 10-7 and win the Players Championship in Telford. With little between the pair throughout a close encounter, Chinese world champion Zhao took control at 7-6 down, winning four straight frames to clinch his second straight ranking title. The 28-year-old’s victory follows his triumph at the World Grand Prix earlier this month and he becomes the fourth player to win all of his first five ranking finals, following Steve Davis, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson. Zhao’s win also prevented four-time world champion John Higgins from become the oldest winner of a…