Zhao's break ends with 30 as he misses a red by some distance.
The pair are exchanging safety play, taking on long pots as long as they leave the cue ball close to the top cushion.
Xintong misses a cut to the middle and gives Williams a big chance in this frame.
Zhao pots a long red, something we have become so used to seeing in this tournament.
Chance for the man from China to make a statement in this opening frame of the evening session.
As ever, he is just cueing so well.
We are about the restart the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
Zhao needs one more frame to be in dreamland.
Williams needs to stage one of the biggest comebacks in the history of the sport.
With one of their own so close to being crowned world champion, clubs in Beijing are showing the action.
Zhao Xintong is on the verge of something real special.
He will want to get this done as early as possible in this evening session.
This has beenn a torrid final for Mark Williams.
He has had a such a ride to this stage, playing some superb snooker along the way to beat both John Higgins and Judd Trump.
However, he must be at the point where he just wants this to end now, regroup and come back stronger next year.
Zhao Xintong can almost feel the trophy now, needing just one more frame to become champion.
This will completely change his snooker career as victory sends him to number eleven in the world rankings.
It will also see him feature as second seed in all of next season's tournaments.
We have seen plenty of famous faces in Sheffield and today is no different.
Christine Ohuruogu, retired athlete and former Olympic, World and Commonwealth champion over 400m watches on.
She will be hoping she is here to witness a miracle in the evening session.
For any sports-person, when they are not playing the way they know they can, it can be infuriating.
These last two days will have really tested Mark Williams.
This evening session will be the icing on the cake, coming back to the table with his opponent needing just one frame for victory.
Zhao Xintong is just one frame away from stardom.
In his native China, he will return as a hero after becoming the first Chinese player to be World Snooker Champion.
His life may never be the same after this weekend at The Crucible.
Try as he might, Mark Williams just cannot get into his groove.
There have been moments where it looked like he was back to his best but it has been all too sporadic.
It will be a sombre break between sessions, he will know this game is all but done for him.
During the interval, it seems Mark Williams has been taking to his X account to air some thoughts.
It is rare to see a sportsman take to their social media during such a massive match.
Williams seems to have accepted this final is gone.
As much as Mark Williams wanted to do the unthinkable, his form just isn't there to do what is required.
The reason for it, many point at having no break from semi-final to final.
Either way, Zhao Xintong is now just one frame from becoming the 2025 World Snooker Champion.
Zhao Xintong takes the last frame of the session.
Some poor positioning from Williams cost him and his opponent is looking clinical.
Zhao played some great snooker in that afternoon session.
A break of 20 for Mark Williams puts him in a good position.
However, he misses a simple red which gives Zhao a massive chance.
He could put himself within one frame of victory.
Williams takes out the reds that are free.
After potting the black, all he has is a long red available.
It was a great effort but it rattles in the jaw.
Williams returns to the table but rattles a thin cut.
Zhao tries to play it himself and overcuts it.
Poor shot by the man from China.
Zhao is brimming with confidence now.
Rather than being nervy he is looking hunry for victory.
He is in a great position to take the last frame of the session.
Zhao shows his class as he sees the frame off.
Capitalising on the mistake from Williams to leave him on.
We have one frame left in the session, Zhao needs to two to become champion.
Neither player can seem to find their groove in this frame.
They are missing pots and leaving chances for their opponents.
Zhao now has a sitter to take control of this frame.
A break of 66 gives Williams the frame.
That means we will be coming back for the evening session.
Williams will be hoping to take some confidence from getting his first frame of the day.
Mark Williams has a massive chance to claw back a frame here.
The reds are open and there to be potted.
This could be the confidence boost the Welshman needs.
This looks like it is going to be another tight frame.
Williams had the chance of putting a break together but misses a tricky pot.
They exchange safety shots but Williams leaves Zhao a pot on.
A break of 52 sees Zhao claim another frame.
He could even win this in the afternoon session.
There are three frames remaining in this session, the exact amount needed for him to become world champion.
Williams is just not cueing as we are used to seeing from him.
Zhao looks set to take another frame here.
It all seems a bridge too far for the Welshman from this far behind.