A gripping clash at the World Snooker Championship has left snooker fans worldwide on the edge of their seats as China's Xiao Guodong and Scotland's John Higgins stand deadlocked at 8-8 after two intense sessions at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. The pair delivered a masterclass in tactical brilliance and resilience, setting the stage for a high-stakes final showdown on Saturday.
The match, which resumed at 4-4 on Friday, saw both players trade frames in the afternoon session. Higgins, a four-time world champion, briefly took a 7-6 lead before Xiao staged a comeback. The 14th frame produced theater worthy of the sport’s grandest stage: With Higgins needing two snookers to stay alive, the Scottish veteran staged an improbable recovery, only to lose the black ball in a dramatic fluke that handed Xiao an 8-7 advantage. Undeterred, Higgins responded with a tournament-highlight 129 break to level the score.
Meanwhile, China’s Zhao Xintong leads compatriot Lei Peifan 5-3 in another second-round contest. After back-and-forth exchanges, Zhao closed the session with three consecutive frames, including breaks of 97 and 61. Their rivalry resumes Saturday as China eyes multiple contenders in the tournament.
This year’s championship has already matched last season’s century-break tally at 63, underscoring the exceptional skill on display. Asian players continue to shine, with Xiao and Zhao reinforcing China’s growing prominence in global snooker.
