Zhao Xintong has dominated Mark Williams in the opening session of the world snooker championship final by running up a 7-1 lead in his bid to become the first Chinese winner of the sport’s biggest prize.

Williams will become the oldest player to contest the final at the Crucible after overcoming Judd Trump 17-14 at the tender age of 50. Zhao impressively dispatched Ronnie O’Sullivan at the last-four stage, comfortably beating the seven-time champion 17-7 with a session to spare.