Will Zhao v Ding draw the biggest TV audience in snooker history?

Will Zhao v Ding draw the biggest TV audience in snooker history?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Zhao Xintong (left) is the defending world champion while Ding Junhui was China's trailblazer on the green baizeByMichael EmonsBBC Sport journalist at the Crucible Theatre, SheffieldPublished11 minutes agoOver the next few days, a World Championship match might break the record for snooker's biggest-ever television audience.But it is not the last-16 encounter between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, nor does it feature world number one Judd Trump, or three-time winner Mark Williams.Such has been the rapid growth of the game in China, the match between Ding Junhui and Zhao Xintong is the tie in question, as the country's first ranking event winner and trailblazer goes up against its first world champion - and the defending champion in Sheffield."It's a big clash and it could surpass all records, it could be hundreds of millions [watching] in China," said Jason Ferguson, the chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), who has been a key figure in the growth of the sport there."It could be the highest [television audience], we just keep on breaking records with snooker, it just keeps growing. Since Zhao Xintong won [the world title], snooker has continued to grow and recently we went to the number one sport watched on state media, China Central TV."We have a really popular world champion. He is popular, cool and funny - and funny in both languages. Him winning has had a huge impact on the sport and it has gone from strength to strength."'When I go to China I'm famous now'To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlightsLast year, Zhao came through four rounds of qualifying and then defeated 2024 runner-up Jak Jones, compatriot Lei Peifan and England's...