Snooker Hong Kong Masters Report! Four Quarterfinalists, Three from China, Xiao Guodong Defeats O’Sullivan 5-3

On February 5th Beijing time, the snooker Masters round of 16 started, and four matches have finished. Xiao Guodong made a strong push late to shockingly eliminate Rocket O’Sullivan 5-3. Zhang Anda played with steady control to upset Hawkins 5-3, avenging Ding Junhui. In the derby, Si Jiahui beat Pang Junxu 5-3, refusing to be reversed. Wakelin endured pressure and won a grueling 11-frame match 5-4 against Slater. Thus, four players have secured quarterfinal spots in this event: Xiao Guodong, Si Jiahui, Zhang Anda, and Wakelin. The Chinese contingent currently holds three quarterfinal places!

Xiao Guodong vs. O’Sullivan. After ending his career title drought, Xiao Guodong’s overall strength has become very stable, fearless against any opponent. In this tournament’s first round, he overwhelmed the post-90s World Champion Kyren Wilson to advance. In the round of 16, he faced the last remaining member of the ‘Class of ’75’, O’Sullivan. Xiao started sharply, winning two consecutive frames with precise shots for a perfect 2-0 lead. O’Sullivan responded with strong offense and defense, winning two frames to level at 2-2. In the fifth frame, Xiao capitalized on opportunities, winning 3-2 after a tight battle. O’Sullivan fought back with a 79-point break to tie again at 3-3. At the critical moment, Xiao’s accuracy exploded, winning two frames in a row to defeat O’Sullivan 5-3. After back-to-back upsets over Kyren Wilson and O’Sullivan, Xiao advances to the quarterfinals. It must be said that O’Sullivan has clearly declined and lost his competitiveness!

Si Jiahui vs. Pang Junxu. This match was a derby but turned into a one-sided affair. Pang started sluggishly while Si was in fiery form, unstoppable with two century breaks and a 90+ break, taking four straight frames to reach match point. Pang, facing desperation, found strong fighting spirit, replying with two centuries and a 70+ break to win three consecutive frames, narrowing the gap to 3-4. In the crucial eighth frame, both players battled fiercely with chances for either side, but Si’s superior skill edged him to a narrow 62-56 victory, sealing a 5-3 win over Pang to reach the quarterfinals!

Zhang Anda vs. Hawkins. Facing Hawkins, who had eliminated Ding Junhui, Zhang Anda felt significant pressure to win. Hawkins started aggressively with a 50+ break to take the first frame. Zhang then showed balanced offense and defense, winning three straight frames to lead 3-1. Hawkins quickly fought back with two frames to level at 3-3. In the following frames, Zhang’s precision was sharp, cleanly taking two winning frames to defeat Hawkins 5-3. After consecutive upsets over Mark Williams and Hawkins, Zhang advances to the quarterfinals!

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