In a nail-biting finale at the WST Wuhan Open in the Chinese mainland city of Wuhan, defending champion Xiao Guodong edged out England’s Gary Wilson 10-9 to lift his trophy for a second straight year. The best-of-19 match, split across two sessions, delivered classic snooker drama from the opening break to the last red.
Xiao burst out of the blocks, racing to a 2-0 lead before Wilson fought back with precise potting and positional play. By frame nine, the Englishman had compiled a superb 116 break, only to trail 5-4 at the end of the opening session.
The second session saw Wilson seize momentum, notching two centuries to surge into an 8-6 lead. Yet Xiao’s resilience shone through as he rattled off three frames in succession, forcing a decider at 9-9 after Wilson clawed back with a determined 52.
The final frame encapsulated the match’s tension. Xiao’s 48-point run gave him the edge, and despite a clever safety battle, Wilson missed a routine red that handed Xiao the opening he needed to clinch victory.
For young sports fans and aspiring athletes, this match is a masterclass in mental strength, tactical awareness, and the highs and lows of elite snooker. Xiao’s win in Wuhan underscores the sport’s expanding global footprint, connecting audiences across G20 nations through high-stakes drama.
Reference(s):
Xiao Guodong outclasses Gary Wilson to retain WST Wuhan Open title
cgtn.com
