Snooker shock upset! Xiao Guodong defeats Mark Williams 6-3 in the final, post-match interview full of confidence!

On August 29th, Beijing time, the semifinals of the Snooker Wuhan Open began. In a key battle just concluded, China's sole representative Xiao Guodong took on Mark Williams, one of the 'Class of 75' trio. Xiao delivered a stunning performance, defeating Mark Williams 6-3 and advancing to the Wuhan final for the second year running. Post-match, Xiao openly expressed his desire to retain the championship in China, showing great confidence!

Xiao Guodong is a late bloomer who broke his title drought last season by winning his first ranking event—the Wuhan Open. This year, he returned stronger and, as the only Chinese player in the quarterfinals, steadily eliminated the dark horse Moody to reach the semifinals. There, he faced the highly decorated runner-up Mark Williams, a formidable opponent and a huge challenge for Xiao!

Everyone knows Mark Williams is a world champion with one of the strongest attacking games in snooker. However, his defense is also solid, and more importantly, he has vast experience and strong mental resilience. He is well-rounded with no obvious weaknesses, making him a tough opponent that can trouble anyone. To cause an upset, one must perform beyond their usual level!

The match started with both players evenly matched, locked at 2-2 by halftime. In the second half, Mark Williams took the lead 3-2 with a break of 75. However, the rest of the match turned into a one-sided affair. Xiao's attack was precise and fierce, while his defense was impenetrable, leading to a streak of four consecutive frames won. He triumphed 6-3, decisively defeating Mark Williams and reaching the final of this event for the second year in a row. Xiao is now on a 13-match winning streak in this tournament—truly remarkable!

In this match, Xiao Guodong scored four breaks over 50, causing a major upset over Mark Williams, which delighted many fans. Next, Xiao will face the winner between Mark Allen and Gary Wilson for the championship. After the match, Xiao gave a very confident interview, saying he still can’t believe reaching the final two years in a row and that he really wants to keep the title in China. His strong sense of national pride is evident—he previously won gold at the World Games as well. Well done, keep it up!

Written by / Sports Novels