Disgraced former UK champion, 28, comes back from 20-month ban to reach World Snooker Championship

FORMER UK Champion Zhao Xintong – classified as an amateur player – qualified for the Crucible following a 10-8 last-round win over Elliot Slessor.

This time last year Xintong, 28, was serving a 20-month ban after being caught up in the match-fixing storm that involved 10 Chinese players.

GettyZhao Xintong qualified for the Crucible following a 10-8 last-round win over Elliot Slessor.[/caption]

He said: “I’m very happy because I know the Crucible is very difficult to be back.