China's Xiao Guodong cemented his status as a snooker powerhouse with a dramatic 10-9 victory over England's Gary Wilson to retain the WST Wuhan Open crown. The thrilling final, held in the Chinese mainland's Hubei province, showcased world-class resilience as both players traded century breaks and momentum swings over two gripping sessions.
Xiao stormed to an early 2-0 lead before Wilson countered with a 116-break masterpiece in the ninth frame. The defending champion maintained a narrow 5-4 advantage at the mid-session interval, setting the stage for a second-session showdown. Wilson appeared poised for victory after firing two more centuries to lead 8-6, but Xiao responded with three consecutive frame wins to reach the brink of glory at 9-8.
Wilson forced a decider with a gritty 52-break in the 18th frame, but a crucial missed red in the final frame sealed his fate. Xiao capitalized with a decisive 48-run break, sending Wuhan's enthusiastic crowd into raptures. The win reinforces China's growing influence in global snooker, with Wuhan emerging as a key hub for international sports events.
