“IF I play well, then I can beat any player.”

So said snooker talent Zhao Xintong, who begins the defence of his Cazoo UK Championship at the York Barbican next week.

The then-world number 26 Xintong upset the odds to claim last year’s UK Championship, one of the sport’s three Triple Crown events.

After that breakthrough triumph, his first professional tournament win, the Chinese prodigy has struggled for form.

Aside from lifting the German Masters, the 24-year-old has reached just one quarter-final from 14 rankings events.

Despite that, Xintong is in an optimistic mood ahead of his title defence, which starts next Saturday (November 12, 1pm) against a yet-to-determined opponent.

“Last year I won the UK Championship and now I come back and there’s good memories here,” the world number seven said, speaking outside the Jorvik Centre after a photoshoot in the city.

“Hopefully I can win the title again this year, that’s my dream.

“This is my first time as defending champion and I just want to enjoy this year. I believe I have a little bit of pressure this year, but I just want to enjoy it.

“Hopefully I can come through these matches and enjoy this tournament and my first time as defending champion.

“I think I can play well. I’ve been practising every day. If I play well, then I can beat any player.”

Last year, Xintong knocked out four-time world champion John Higgins, top 15 player Jack Lisowski and former world finalist Barry Hawkins before beating current Scottish Open holder Luca Brecel 10-5 in the final.

“It was an amazing moment,” he recalled of the Brecel win. “I couldn’t believe it because it was my first final and it was the UK Championship.

“When I won the final, my brain was just empty. I couldn’t think about anything. It was amazing for me. I was so happy.

“This year I will enjoy this city and this venue because it’s a nice city and there’s some great fans here who give me the best support.”

As the youngest player in the top 14, Xintong is widely regarded as the most exciting talent in the sport at present.

Among his admirers is legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, a seven-time UK Championship winner, four of which have come at the York Barbican.

O’Sullivan, an occasional practice partner with Xintong, said in April that ‘The Cyclone’ “could be the greatest of all time with his talent”.

“He said that I can do it and I will try my best,” replied Xintong to the high praise. “Snooker is not an easy game and you need to concentrate.

“This year, I haven’t practised with him many times but last year, we always practised together

“He always taught me some important things. When I play in tournaments, I can feel those things that are very important. It’s been very good for me.”

On what he needs to do to take the next step and become a regular title winner, Xintong added:

“In the matches, I now feel very confident and the way I am playing is like one of the top players in the rankings.

“I just need to get more experience and more confidence to get the rhythm like the others. I am confident that I can do that.”