Snooker German Masters: China records 4 wins and 4 losses, Xu Si stuns Selby 5-4, Zhao Xintong eliminated

On January 29th Beijing time, the Snooker German Masters progressed further, and the final 16 players emerged. The Chinese squad endured a tough blow with 8 players attempting to reach the last 16 but only 4 succeeding. Notably, reigning World Champion Zhao Xintong was upset 3-5 by Tom Ford, while Xu Si delivered a shock 5-4 victory over the four-time World Champion Selby!

Xu Si versus Selby. Facing the four-time World Champion Selby, Selby’s attack was inconsistent at the start, while Xu Si combined offense and defense perfectly, achieving a dream 3-0 lead. Selby then found his rhythm, producing three 60+ breaks to win four consecutive frames and take a 4-3 lead. Under pressure, Xu Si fought fiercely to level at 4-4, forcing a deciding frame. In the final frame, Xu Si scored a crucial 71 break to clinch the match 5-4 against Selby,

Zhao Xintong versus Tom Ford. Zhao started well, gaining a commanding 3-1 lead. However, Tom Ford launched a fierce comeback, first winning two tightly contested frames through strong defense, then hitting two 50+ breaks to win four straight frames 5-3, overturning the match and eliminating Zhao Xintong!

Zhou Yuelong versus Higgins. Facing the experienced Higgins, who recently reached the Masters final and was in strong form, Zhou Yuelong started brilliantly with a 2-0 lead combining attack and defense. Higgins responded strongly, leveling at 2-2. In the fifth frame, Zhou blasted a century break of 131 to lead 3-2 again. Higgins fought back to tie 3-3 with an 83-0 frame win. Crucially, in frame seven, Zhou squandered a good chance with a key error after a 57 break, allowing Higgins to complete a dramatic 72-point turnaround to lead 4-3. Higgins maintained his momentum to take frame eight 54-32, completing a 5-3 comeback victory over Zhou Yuelong!

In other matches, Xiao Guodong powered past Lisowski 5-1, Pang Junxu was defeated 2-5 by Australian cannon Robbo, Gao Yang lost 3-5 to Mark Allen, Si Jiahui battled hard to edge Gilbert 5-4 in a 9-frame thriller, and Zhang Anda crushed Hawkins 5-2. The last 16 matchups are as follows!

Written by / Sports Novel