Snooker commentators left shocked as Zhao Xintong branded 'uncomfortable'

has been the talk of the so far at this year's , with the Chinese potter having enjoyed a stellar run to the quarter-final stage. Victories over Jak Jones and Lei Peifan set up a last-eight clash with Chris Wakelin, with Zhao storming to a healthy lead after two sessions of .

However, it was in the first two frames of the evening session against Wakelin that commentators were left stunned by the 28-year-old's actions. Zhao had a golden opportunity to wrap the opening frame up while the score was 54-45 in his favour, but sent what of the middle left pocket.

It caused an audible reaction from a member of the crowd, who shrieked: "Wow," following the snooker star's miss. Agreeing with the punter, Phil Studd, who was on commentary duty for TNT Sports, responding: "Someone in the crowd said, 'Wow', and I agree with them. Wow indeed."

Dominic Dale added: "He's missed frame-ball so many times in this match. Even when they're as easy as this, that's incredible. Clearly, he just needs to take a moment to compose himself on frame-balls."

While his overnight lead had sat at 6-2, Wakelin took the frame following Zhao's error to cut the deficit and spark the match into life. The pressure appeared to be getting to Zhao in the following frame, as he once again missed a simple pot to take the point.

This time, a mid-range red, which he again hit into the pocket's jaws. Studd's remarks were of an equally shocked nature, with the commentator saying: "Again, unable to knock it in. If he were to lose this frame as well, frame nine and ten combined would be a crippling blow."

He continued: "Successive frames thrown to the forewinds. For all intents and purposes, it should be 8-2. Chris Wakelin is only a couple behind now. Shocking. Shocking in the sense, we're absolutely shocked. He's missed frame ball not once, but twice."

Dale added: "It seems to me Zhao Xintong is not comfortable with a big lead. He's not processing his thoughts correctly, he's not staying in the present. Every time he's on frame ball, he's putting pressure on himself. It's not part of a continuance of a break, it's one shot to win the frame, and he seems to be building himself up too much, putting too much pressure on himself."

Zhao's response was emphatic, though. He shook off the disappointment of missing two frame balls to rally and take the next six points on offer, .