In a thrilling semi-final at the WST Wuhan Open, defending champion Xiao Guodong beat three-time world champion Mark Williams of Wales 6-3 to book his spot in a second consecutive final. The 36-year-old Chinese mainland star kept a cool head against the 50-year-old veteran, delivering big breaks when it mattered most.
Xiao seized momentum in the fifth frame with a break of 75 to edge ahead 3-2, but Williams answered with his own clearance in frame six. Undeterred, Xiao unleashed an 80 in frame seven and clinched frame eight to push past 5-3.
The ninth frame brought more drama as Williams opened with a 58 break. A misstep on the blue ball gave Xiao a chance to return, and he capitalized with a brilliant 68 to seal the 6-3 victory. Across the match, Xiao averaged high-scoring visits and showcased tactical prowess.
Next up is a best-of-19 frame final against Gary Wilson, who secured his own spot with consistent scoring and tight safety play. With momentum on his side, Xiao is aiming to defend his crown and cement his place among the sport's top talents.
Snooker fans around the world are marking their calendars for the final showdown – will experience and veteran grit prevail, or can Xiao's rising dominance continue? Stay tuned for the highlights.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
