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Wuhan Open 2024 snooker final recap - Xiao Guodong wins his first ranking tournament holding off Si Jiahui rally
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Updated 12/10/2024 at 16:20 GMT+1
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LIVE coverage from the Wuhan Open final on Saturday. Xiao Guodong secured his spot in the final with victory in an all-Chinese meeting with Long Zehuang. While World No. 1 Judd Trump was then stunned by Si, who managed a 147 maximum on his way to defeating the defending champion.
'Absolutely spellbinding stuff! ' - Si makes maximum 147 break against Trump at Wuhan Open
Video credit: TNT Sports
THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THE ACTION WITH US
A fantastic final, fittingly an all-Chinese affair, with Xiao Guodong finally securing his first big win. The dazzling Si Jiahui will take a lot from the tournament, especially his fightback in this match and yesterday's victory over Judd Trump including that incredible 147. We will be back in a week's time for the Northern Ireland Open.
XIAO BEATS SI 10-7!
After Xiao pots the brown Si comes across and shakes his hand. What a final this turned into. And Xiao Guodong has clinched his first world ranking title.
SI 7-9 XIAO (46-65*)
Two fouls from Xiao and on both occasions the cue ball goes into the bottom left pocket. The next time he just misses the red and clips the black. Incredibly it is called a miss but thankfully Xiao does not need to take it and pots the red instead. This should be the end.
SI 7-9 XIAO (46-49)
Si leaves on a long red which Xiao nails and notches the blue to go in front, but he does not get position and is forced to play a snooker. In fairness, he plays an outstanding one behind the green which will be very difficult to get out of.
SI 7-9 XIAO (46-43)
It is nervy now. Xiao misses a fairly straight-forward mid-range red but is lucky not to leave an easy chance.
SI 7-9 XIAO (46-43)
A very poor positional shot off the blue leaves him with a difficult long red and then an unlucky ricochet ends the break. He does leave a tricky snooker behind the yellow though.
SI 7-9 XIAO (46-17*)
Xiao with a fantastic pot into the left middle setting himself up with a wonderful chance.
SI 7-9 XIAO (46-16)
In attempting to open up the remaining reds, Xiao has left himself out of position and has to play safe.
SI 7-9 XIAO (46-1*)
Si lost position and went for a very difficult long red after falling out of position. He has given Xiao a chance with an easy red. Can he take advantage?
SI 7-9 XIAO (31*-0)
Another fine red into the middle has set Si up with another opportunity to win the frame in one visit.
SI 7-9 XIAO (1*-0)
A fantastic red into the middle has Si roaring again. This really is something.
SI 7-9 XIAO (0-0)
A poor safety gives Xiao a chance to pot a red into the bottom red but he takes an age lining it up and misses it by a mile. He is lucky not to leave something easy on.
SI 7-9 XIAO
The break ends at 83. It deserved a century but he will just be thinking about his next chance now.
SI 6-9 XIAO (72*-0)
We are watching something pretty remarkable. He now has reduced the deficit to 9-7.
SI 6-9 XIAO (19*-0)
A risky pot attempt from Si gives Xiao a good chance, but he misses and now Si is taking advantage.
SI 6-9 XIAO (0-0)
Si misses the first pot but leaves nothing on and after a little tippy-tappy we have a re-rack.
SI 6-9 XIAO
A scintillating break of 138. Si is an incredible player when in full flow.
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‘Exactly what he was looking for’ – Si makes ‘beautiful’ century to reduce deficit to Xiao
Video credit: TNT Sports
SI 5-9 XIAO (73*-6)
Another frame is in the bank for Si. And he could well make this a century.
SI 5-9 XIAO (22*-6)
The pack is opened pretty nicely and the way he is zinging reds into the middle pocket he could build a sizeable lead in quick time.
SI 5-9 XIAO (6*-6)
Xiao misses and Si sinks a red and blue to give himself a chance. It will depend on whether he can open the pack.
SI 5-9 XIAO (0-6)
Another miss from Si early in this frame. He went to go into the pack off a cushion but just clipped the pink. Second time round he leaves a chance of a red for Xiao.
SI 5-9 XIAO
The break ends on 76 and he will look to take this momentum into the next frame now.
SI 4-9 XIAO (69*-24)
A fantastic break, especially in the circumstances, and he has now pulled a frame back.
SI 4-9 XIAO (4*-24)
Xiao loses position and plays safe, but Si then rockets a long red home and follows with a tricky green into the middle.
SI 4-9 XIAO (0-18*)
Both miss simple reds but now Xiao is at the table, can he hold his nerve and get over the line?
SI 4-9 XIAO (0-17)
Xiao pots a red then puts Si in a tricky snooker behind the brown and he failed to get out of it four times before nudging against a red on the bottom cushion.
SI 4-9 XIAO (0-0)
We're back underway and some cagey safeties begin what might be the last frame of the match and tournament.
SI 4-9 XIAO
Si with the biggest of uphill tasks after the mid-session interview. Showing he has got flair Xiao plays the black off the cushion to end with a 77 break and take the final frame before the players go off.
SI 4-8 XIAO (16-70*)
A fifty break has secured the frame. In the circumstances, maybe his best of the match.
SI 4-8 XIAO (16-41*)
Xiao potted a mid-range red and has followed up with a good break taking him to the cusp of a 9-4 lead.
SI 4-8 XIAO (16-20)
Xiao misses a shot with a rest and Si pots a couple of reds and colours before leaving himself a tricky long red which he jaws in the yellow pocket.
SI 4-8 XIAO (0-20)
He looked set for a big break but missed a yellow he would have expected to be no trouble at all.
SI 4-8 XIAO (0-4*)
A very poor safety from Si and one good pot into the middle pocket and Xiao has been presented with another chance.
SI 4-8 XIAO
A wonderful break of 113 has Xiao just two frames from victory.
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‘Very classy’ – Xiao halts Si’s momentum with brilliant 129 break
Video credit: TNT Sports
SI 4-7 XIAO (13-57*)
A fine break this from Xiao. It appeared he had run out of position but he played a fine narrow cut to keep it going.
SI 4-7 XIAO (13-9*)
Xiao is now at the table and methodically looking to work his way through the cluster of reds.
SI 4-7 XIAO (13-0)
Si loses position and can only roll the loose red into the pack.
SI 4-7 XIAO (8*-0)
Xiao with a lose safety shot now hitting the blue instead of getting the cue ball to baulk and Si could be away and running.
SI 4-7 XIAO
A wonderful break of 109 gives Si and the crowd a lift. There is a long way left in this match.
SI 3-7 XIAO (74*-20)
A fine break from Si, showing he has the capacity to reduce this scoreline gap quite quickly.
SI 3-7 XIAO (16*-20)
Xiao misses a red with a rest and Si pots a tough red into the middle pocket giving himself the chance he needed.
SI 3-7 XIAO (8-8*)
Xiao was left a tough red back up into the green pocket but with little risk he took it on and now has spread the reds to give himself a chance.
SI 3-7 XIAO (8-0)
Si pots a good long red to a roar from the crowd but is left with a tough angle on the black and only managed to nestle the white in a gaggle of reds.
SI 3-7 XIAO
Not the start Si was looking for.
SI 3-6 XIAO (0-77)
Xiao back at the table and has now made the tenth frame safe.
SI 3-6 XIAO (0-46)
Xiao forced to play safe after coming too far down off baulk and leaving himself on the bottom cushion.
SI 3-6 XIAO (0-39*)
Inexplicably Xiao leaves an easy red in the jaws but the green snooker Si and he missed a harder long pot so Xiao is back at the table.
SI 3-6 XIAO (0-23*)
He opens the pack of reds off the blue ball and Xiao now has a great chance to go four frames in front.
SI 3-6 XIAO (0-8*)
Si gets out of a snooker but leaves a red open to a narrow cut and Xiao is on his way.
SI 3-6 XIAO (0-4)
An in-off from Si but nothing easy on for Xiao so he plays safe - as Neal Foulds says he is an old school cagey player, a bit of Terry Griffiths about him.
SI 3-6 XIAO (0-0)
A slow beginning to the session, with tapping the cue ball around the pack. They are now at least open so we shouldn't be in re-rack territory.
WELCOME BACK TO OUR COVERAGE OF THE WUHAN OPEN FINAL
Can Si Jiahui get back into the match which he trails 6-3 to Ziao Guodong with the first to ten frames grabbing the trophy.
XIAO HAS HEALTHY ADVANTAGE
Xiao Guodong has the upper hand heading into the final session at 12:30 GMT
Si Jiahui has been guilty of missing some gilt-edge chances late in frames which his opponent has gone on to win.
Si has shown signs of the form which resulted in him beating Judd Trump yesterday. However, he has also been guilty of making mistakes in this opening session and Xiao has taken full advantage.
However, with just three frames separating them all is still to play for as most of the match so far has been very tight and decided on few errors.
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Xiao Guodong
Image credit: Getty Images
Si 3-6 XIAO
With enough points to snatch the frame left on the table a long pot from Xiao opens his account.
However, the cue ball is left in a difficult position and after some deliberating and using the rest and extensions he sinks the black.
The pot is a crucial one as it opens up the table for Xiao and puts him in a position to win the frame. Some calm potting from the World No.29 has put him in command with just the colours left to clear.
He makes no mistake showing no nerves and does not need the final black.
Si 3-5 XIAO (54-0)
Safety play from Xiao entices his opponent to attempt a pot at a red which hits the far pocket before coming out.
Xiao then plays the cue ball right against a group of reds forcing Si into some defensive plays as their tactical battle continues.
With both players searching for a first ranking title neither of these players want to concede anything in this final frame of the session.
A chance eventually opens up for Si to fire a red and then blue home to increase his lead. However, the cue ball ends up wayward after potting a blue leaving Si short of options.
Si 3-5 XIAO (42-0)
Xiao goes for a long shot across the table on a red which kisses both pockets but stays out.
The miss gives an opportunity for Si to stretch his advantage in this final frame of the session.
Si is taking much more care in this vital frame as he goes through the reds and onto the black. However, a bad decision and placement of the balls sees him miss a red at the far end of the table.
Si 3-5 XIAO (10-0)
After profiting from Xiao leaving the safety shot exposed the young Chinese player profits from reds being open and adds the green to his score.
However, the white is left in an awkward position for him to reach and he resorts to a further safety shot.
Si 3-5 XIAO (1-0)
The final frame of this first session of the Wuhan Open 2024 final.
Si misses an early pot on the red in this frame, its an important one for both players heading into the break.
Xiao is asking questions of his opponent by opening the ball up, but positioning the white in the far corner once again.
Si answers the question with a shot right across the table and the cue ball stopping dead, which is followed by a safety shot.
Si 3-5 XIAO
A cue error at the start of his eighth frame by Si gives Xiao a penalty shot which he takes advantage of the pocket the first red.
Xiao takes the opportunity with both hands and starts to pick off the reds from the pack along with the black.
Not the same pace in his shots as shown by Si but equally effective. However, the cue ball is not in the position he wants off the black, following a few reds.
Xiao makes a tricky shot before having his momentum disrupted at a key moment by the ringing of a mobile phone. The referee is not happy with the noise but Xiao is able to pick up where he left off.
An excellent frame of picking the correct shots has seen Xiao win this frame. A century break of 129 has won the frame for Xiao, it is his seventh century of the tournament and 15th of the season. He does miss the final black but that is irrelevant at the end of a controlled frame.
Si 3-4 XIAO
Now it is Xiao's turn to make the mistakes and Si makes a fine pot to capitalise, despite being disrupted by somebody in the crowd.
The aggressive approach of Si sees him knocked the pink down before the white breaks up the pack of reds.
Si is showing the clinical edge which he showed against Judd Trump yesterday as he races through the reds and black.
He is rapidly chalking up the points in this frame. His troubles from earlier in this session certainly have not impacted on his confidence.
In this frame the reds have been perfectly positioned for Si to pick them off and he calmly sinks the frame ball.
The reds which were coming out of the pockets for Si half-an-hour ago are now sinking and he wraps up the frame.
Si 2-4 XIAO (1-0)
After pulling back to within two frames of his in this match Si gets an early physicological edge in this seventh frame by picking up the first red.
It is a game of fine margins and has been a real slog in this first session
Si 2-4 XIAO
Despite looking on the back foot Si comes out fighting and takes an opportunity to draw back into this frame and possibly match.
A tough shot on the green sees the ball drop in after hitting the jaw of the pocket. Si needs to pot all four colours to draw a frame back.
However, this time Si is not to be denied as he picks up a vital frame.
Si 1-4 XIAO (30-51)
This is a real fight between the opponents as Xiao makes a start before then opting for a tactical shot on Si and the youngster fails to hit a ball, conceding points.
Si 1-4 XIAO (30-41)
After surviving some tactical shots by Xiao it is Si who has another opportunity to see this frame.
However, after potting the first red Si then misses the following blue. Allowing Xiao to take charge in this frame.
Si 1-4 XIAO (29-41)
Si is making small errors in this match and his pot on the inviting red over-runs the cue ball giving himself a harder task.
The explosive youngster makes the shot but then misses a difficult red which hits the jaw of the pocket before running away.
Si 1-4 XIAO (16-41)
Once again Xiao is grateful for the opportunity given to him by his younger opponent.
Some nice work around the table results in the Chinese player growing his lead in this sixth frame. He could be building an unassailable lead in frames over Si in this first session of play.
However, a tricky shot on a red sees the ball miss the pocket and Si is given another opportunity.
Si 1-4 XIAO (16-20)
Another chance for Si is wasted as he gets a red before the following colour leaves him in a difficult situation.
Si does find a red and reaches across the table to pot the resulting green but he is making hard work for himself in this final.
A long shot on a red clips the jaws of the pocket and allows Xiao back in.
Si 1-4 XIAO (1-20)
Unlike the last frame the balls are much more evenly spread across the table in this one.
Xiao does not get the pace on the shot he wanted which allows Si an opportunity to exploit the situation.
The youngster gets the first red before putting himself in a difficult position, which he fails to pot from.
Si 1-4 XIAO (0-20)
Unlike the last frame Xiao takes no time in opening the scoring in the sixth frame and picks off an early red.
The world No.27 is confident following the last two frames but after making a start he allows Si back to the table.
Si 1-4 XIAO
Si really will be regretting not potting that red to win this frame. His opponent is in a determined mood and plays a lovely shot to sink a red to open up the colours.
Xiao plays nicely off the yellow into the green as he looks to clear the table and snatch this frame.
The brown is a tough pot, but Xiao holds his nerve and controls it into the pocket. After 55 minutes Xiao steels the frame on the black.
It's the second consecutive frame where Si has been in a winning position, only for his opponent to come fighting back.
There is a scheduled four frames remaining in this morning session.
Si 1-3 XIAO (52-22)
Xiao is now in the driving seat and took advantage of the missed red to get back into this frame.
However, he goes for a powerful effort and the red comes flying away from the pocket.
Si 1-3 XIAO (52-16)
After over 45 minutes of play in this frame a miss from Xiao gives his opponent the chance to empty the table.
However, Si can not take advantage as following a red and pink he is left with a very difficult red. The youngster shows no fear as he clips the red into the pocket and the the following pink hits both cushions before just dropping in.
Si is on the final red to win the frame, but his shot is nowhere near clipping it home.
Si 1-3 XIAO (38-16)
More tactical play sees the table open up, but Si is forced to play a very long shot from the back of the table which he misses.
However, the white falls back into a safe position, much to his relief, as the tactical battle continues.
Si tries to force the reds, but leaves a chance for Xiao to exploit and he pots one red before missing the black.
Si 1-3 XIAO (38-15)
Once again it is Xiao who is playing the positional shots and asking questions of Si to see if he has the responses.
After a host of tactical shots from each player, one red opens up for Xiao who takes advantage. However, his shot off the black only leaves a pack of reds and the break is over.
Si 1-3 XIAO (38-7)
Both players take their time to work out the table with the black surrounded by reds as the bottom and the pink also tough to reach.
Xiao puts his opponent under pressure by trying to force a mistake by consistently playing the ball into the far corner furthest away from the reds.
Si matches his Chinese counterpart before playing a tactical shot of his own placing the ball against the pack of reds.
The frame is described as a 'waiting game' as the opponents trade tactical blows as neither wants to open the table.
Eventually an opportunity for Si arises and he takes a long pot onto a red. It was very patient and accurate play by the youngster to come out of that tactical battle.
Si then picks off the reds which are awkwardly positioned, along with potting the blue in the middle to rack up the points.
He runs out of options on the awkward table and allows Xiao back in.
Si 1-3 XIAO (0-7)
A tense return to play following the interval sees both players look to play safety shots early in this frame.
However, an error from Si opens up an opportunity for his opponent for a long pot on a red to open the scoring.
Xiao is timing his shots nicely and is very composed and calculated in his nature. The 35-year-old has a tricky shot on a red which opens up the green across the table, which he misses.
Si 1-3 XIAO
AGGRESSIVE PLAY BY SI
The young player has not shown any final nerves as he goes for shots which other players may back away from.
However, his error in the fourth frame allowed Xiao to take a march in this final. It could have easily been 2-2 at the interval.
Si 1-3 XIAO
Xiao has the pressure of needing to clear up the remaining colours to snatch this frame from his opponent.
Some nice back-spin after potting the blue opens up the pink nicely before another 'fabulous shot' results in a shot on the black to win the frame.
A tense moment sees the black knock the cushion before heading in off the pocket. Xiao has capitalised on that error by Si to take a 3-1 lead at the interval.
Xiao Guodong
Image credit: Getty Images
Si 1-2 XIAO (49-23)
Si has his opponent on the back foot and despite Xiao playing his way out of several attempted snookers he eventually gives Si a chance to clear the frame up.
The reds are right at the bottom of the table along with the blue, but Si is able to spot a red to pot.
Despite giving himself work to do, Si is equal to the challenge on the reds before missing an important pink to allow Xiao back with 35 points left on the table.
Si 1-2 XIAO (39-23)
Xiao takes the opportunity to get back to the table and build a score in response.
The more experienced of the two players, Xiao, is calculated as he works his way around the table slow picking off the pink and reds.
However, a difficult red hits the jaws of the pocket resulting in the end of his break.
Si 1-2 XIAO (39-0)
A tense opening to this fourth frame after Si hit back in the previous one. Again Xiao tries to use his safety shots to put his younger opponent on the back foot.
However, eventually Si breaks the deadlock with a long-range shot onto a red. The Chinese star then has a difficult pot on the black to make, which he does with a splendid effort.
Some breathtaking long potting from Si as he quickly moves around the table and is really hitting his stride.
He is taking some big risks in this final before trying to power home the blue which bounces off and out of the pocket to give Xiao a chance
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Si Jiahui
Image credit: Getty Images
Si 1-2 XIAO
What could turn out to be a huge mistake from Xiao in this frame has allowed Si back to the table with an open table.
The 22-year-old could move up the rankings to a career-high world number nine with victory this evening.
Yesterday he shocked Judd Trump and Si is in fine form as he clears up as he comfortably pots reds then black to build a winning score in this frame.
A seventh century of the tournament from Si sees him capitalises on the miss of a short range red by Xiao to pull back into this match
Si 0-2 XIAO (19-8)
After a tactical game with the white stuck in a pack of reds it is eventually Si who hits a shot across the table.
However, Xiao clips the white back into the reds as both players look for a chance to form a winning break in this third frame.
Si is the first player to blink clipping a red out of the pack in a mistake leaving it open for his opponent to capitalise.
Xiao has been tactically perfect but then misses a simple red just as he looked to be building a good score.
Si 0-2 XIAO (19-0)
The closing shots of that second frame seem to have settled the young Chinese player as he opens the scoring with a nice red in this third frame.
The youngster plays a few nice shots onto red. However, a poor shot onto the blue gives him lots to do.
Si is equal to the challenge, but the following brown leaves the white in the middle of the pack of reds.
Si 0-2 XIAO
Despite the frame being seemingly over, Si takes the opportunity to get some confidence and pots on the table.
Si chalks up a score of 17 before missing a pot on the black and the second frame is done.
Si 0-1 XIAO (0-74)
Xiao opens his account early in the second frame after finding the perfect angle onto a red which plays him straight into the black.
A power hit on the black results in the pack of reds being opened giving the Chinese player options. Si made an 'absolutely spellbinding' 147 yesterday on his way to beating Judd Trump but has yet to pot a ball in this final.
Xiao is so composed as he moves around the table and after chalking up a score of 47 he is forced to pot a difficult red across the table, which he does before continuing his display.
The 35-year-old has had a perfect start to this match and this has been an utterly dominant second frame before hitting the jaws of a pocket on a red.
Si 0-1 XIAO
Commentator Alan McManus believes the Xiao is 'bossing' the opening exchanges as his safety shot makes Si play a recovery and it opens up the table.
Some calm potting by Xiao from red to black sees the Chinese player racking up a strong break in this opening frame.
He reaches a score of 54 before having to send a powerful pot on the black to break the pack of remaining red.
However, only a long pot on a red is available which he makes with a 'fantastic shot'. Xiao eventually runs out of options and has to allow Si back to the table.
The safety shot from Si is not good enough to prevent Xiao coming back to the table and sweeping up the remaining balls.
Si has not potted a ball in this opening frame. Despite coming back to the table on several occasions Xiao clears the table, but does put the white as well on his final shot.
Si 0-0 XIAO (0-21)
Xiao siezes the opportunity on the half-chance to opening scoring rattling through a few reds and blacks.
However, he leaves the ball close to the pack of red resulting in an end to his break and Si has a chance to get back into the opening frame.
Si has several opportunities to break the safety play of Xiao until his opponent pounces on a loose red. However, he is also struggling to string a break together in this opening frame.
Si 0-0 XIAO (0-1)
Some tactical play from the break as neither player wants to break the pack of red.
Si goes for a long put across the table on his first red which hits the jaws of the pockets before bouncing back out.
Si has another missed red attempt which looks simpler on this occasion. It could be a long match if they carry on like this.
There is obvious nerves as both players do not want to let their opponent take a march. Si blinks first making a mistake and Xiao opens pots the first red.
CAN SI CLINCH FIRST MAJOR TITLE?
The 22-year-old was in incredible form yesterday knocking out defending champion Judd Trump, in a match where he hit a maximum and several centuries.
This would be his biggest career victory after losing out to Trump in the German Masters earlier this year.
Meanwhile, fellow Chinese player Xiao Guodong is also looking for his first ranking title. They will compete in a best of 19 frames match.
GOOD MORNING
Hello and welcome to our LIVE updates from the 2024 Wuhan Open final.
Si Jiahui takes on Xiao Jiahui will battle it out for first place honours in the second year of the competition (07:00)
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'Very few players do this to Judd Trump' - Si knocks out defending Wuhan champion in style
Video credit: TNT Sports
SATuRday's final schedule
07:00
Si Jiahui v Xiao Guodong
12.30
Si Jiahui v Xiao Guodong
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