Xiao Guodong has finally claimed his first ranking title after a 17-year professional journey, defeating Si Jiahui 10-7 in the Wuhan Open final. For Xiao, this victory fulfills a long-held ambition, as he first secured a spot on the professional circuit in 2007 by winning the Asian Under-21 Championship. His win marks him as the seventh player from mainland China to capture a ranking event title, a major accomplishment after years of near-misses, including four semi-final appearances and a runner-up finish to Anthony McGill at the 2017 Shoot Out.
The Wuhan final also made history as the third ranking final contested between two players from mainland China, following Xiao's 2013 defeat to Ding Junhui in the Shanghai Masters. This win earned Xiao £140,000, the highest payout of his career, and propelled him to 18th in the world rankings, a significant jump from his previous 29th position. The victory not only brings Xiao long-awaited success but also establishes him as one of China’s most accomplished players.
Despite falling short in the final, 22-year-old Si Jiahui impressed throughout the tournament, including a remarkable 6-2 semi-final win over world number one Judd Trump, in which Si achieved his first career 147 break. Even Trump acknowledged Si’s performance as one of the best he had ever faced. Si’s efforts earned him £63,000 and solidified his position in the top 16, putting him in strong contention for January's prestigious Johnstone’s Paint Masters.
The match was filled with intense back-and-forth moments. Xiao led 6-3 after the first session and extended his advantage to 9-4, but Si fought back with breaks of 76, 131, and 83 to narrow the gap to 9-7. In the 17th frame, Si had an early opportunity but missed a tough red, allowing Xiao to set up a challenging snooker that ultimately secured his victory. This landmark win underscores Xiao’s perseverance and cements his place in snooker history.
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