The winner will face Lei Peifan, who knocked out defending champion Wilson on Saturday, within the final 16.
Zhao, 28, is competing as an newbie on the World Championship however breezed by way of qualifying and is among the many favourites to elevate the trophy on 5 Might.
Zhao was considered one of 10 gamers banned in 2023 following an investigation into match-fixing.
He didn’t immediately throw a match however was initially suspended for 2 and a half years, lowered to twenty months after his early admissions and responsible plea – he accepted expenses of being a celebration to a different participant fixing two matches and betting on matches himself.
Zhao accomplished his suspension earlier this season and his performances on the Q Tour have earned him a spot again among the many skilled ranks for 2025-26.
In the meantime, China’s Xiao Guodong beat England’s Matthew Selt 10-4 to safe a second-round assembly with both John Higgins or Joe O’Connor.
Main 7-2 in a single day, the world quantity 14 misplaced the opening two frames of the concluding session however then gained three in a row to succeed in the final 16.
From 14:30 BST, Northern Eire’s Mark Allen begins his bid for a primary world title towards Fan Zhengyi as he goals to finish a full set of Triple Crown occasion victories, whereas Wales’ three-time champion Mark Williams takes a 5-4 lead into the ultimate session of his first-round match towards Wu Yize.
