World Snooker Championship: Zhao Xintong beats Liam Highfield in first round at Crucible

“It was very difficult for me and there is a lot of pressure, but it’s good for me and it’s a big moment for the season,” Zhao said.

“I just tried to control myself but I didn’t do it very well and hopefully I can do much better in the next round.”

Highfield, who was beaten four times in the first round, said: “He played brilliantly in the first half of the second session and that lifted my sails a bit.

“It’s not every day you play at the Crucible. I’ve only played four games here in my life and the pressure is on and there’s a big crowd.

“It’s always great to be here. It’s a great place to play and you cherish it every time you play here.

“But I pride myself on being here from where I was a year ago when I was trying to get back on tour.

“Sometimes I thought he looked angry so I tied him up and let him go and he’s going to punish you because he’s that good.”

Northern Ireland’s former world number one Mark Allen fell 3-5 down to China’s Zhang Anda in the second session on Sunday morning.

Three-time champion Mark Williams defeated 22-year-old Antoni Kowalski, world number 69 and the first Polish player to play on the course, 6-3.

Before the match started, BBC presenter Hazel Irvine said that Basak was “universally loved by everyone in this sport and beyond, he is truly the voice of snooker”.

On Thursday, a memorial service was held for Virgo in her hometown at Sheffield Cathedral, a short walk from the Crucible.

“The cathedral was packed and we gave John a great send-off as he was a very special man,” 1985 world champion Dennis Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I knew him for over 50 years and he was an all-round entertainer. There is a huge void at the Crucible this year with John not being with us.”