In a spectacular display of resilience and skill, Chinese snooker sensation Xu Si overcame three-time world champion Mark Williams with a gripping 5-4 victory in the round of 16 at the Xi'an Grand Prix on Thursday.
Xu entered the match fresh off a challenging nine-frame duel against former world champion Stuart Bingham of England, showcasing his determination and tactical prowess. Facing Williams, Xu found himself trailing 4-2 after six frames, but the tide turned dramatically in the seventh frame. Williams, showing signs of fatigue and loss of focus, made several unforced errors, allowing Xu to regain his momentum.
The tension peaked in the deciding frame, where Xu demonstrated his elite skills by compiling a century break, sealing his place in the quarterfinals as the only Chinese player to advance. His next challenge will be against England's reigning world champion Kyren Wilson, promising an exciting continuation of his tournament journey.
Other notable performances at the Xi'an Grand Prix included Gong Chenzhi's narrow 5-4 loss to Matt Selt after a valiant effort that saw him triumph over Tom Ford and Si Jiahui. Meanwhile, the legendary Ronnie O'Sullivan dominated his matches with a flawless 5-0 victory over Hossein Vafaei, maintaining his impressive aggregate frame score of 20-3. Judd Trump also secured his spot in the quarterfinals with a solid 5-1 win against Wales' Jak Jones, setting the stage for a thrilling last-eight clash with fellow Englishman David Gilbert.
The Xi'an Grand Prix continues to showcase top-tier talent and intense competition, making it a must-watch event for snooker enthusiasts worldwide.
Reference(s):
China's Xu Si battles back to upset Mark Williams at Xi'an Grand Prix
cgtn.com