In a remarkable display of skill and home advantage, three Chinese snooker players—Ding Junhui, Xu Si, and Xiao Guodong—have secured their spots in the semifinals of the World Snooker Tour (WST) International Championship in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province.
Ding Junhui, China’s snooker superstar, delivered an impressive performance against World Champion Kyren Wilson of England, triumphing 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Ding established an early 4-1 lead, showcasing breaks of 57, 72, and 84. Wilson, demonstrating why he’s regarded as one of the most consistent top players, fought back with breaks of 57, 70, and 80, leveling the match at 4-4.
However, Ding rose to the occasion in the decisive frames, thrilling the home crowd with two century breaks of 129 and 123 to clinch the victory. “I could really feel the support from the crowd—they wanted to see me perform well and get a good result,” Ding told reporters after the match. “Kyren is world champion and one of the most consistent top players at the moment, so this wasn’t an easy win. If I hadn’t played as well as I did today, it would have been tough to beat him.”
Meanwhile, Xu Si and Xiao Guodong also impressed in their respective matches, adding to the excitement for Chinese fans eager to see their compatriots excel on the international stage. The advancement of three homegrown talents to the semifinals marks a significant moment for Chinese snooker, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity and the rising standards in the country.
The semifinals promise to be an exhilarating showcase of talent, with the Chinese players aiming to capitalize on their momentum and home support. As the tournament progresses, fans worldwide will be watching to see if one of them can lift the championship trophy.
Reference(s):
Three Chinese players reach WST International Championship semifinals
cgtn.com
