Xiao Guodong could join Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Judd Trump in exclusive club after Wuhan Open glory as Ronnie O'Sullivan retains top-four spot

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Xiao Guodong could join Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Judd Trump as the only men to win the same ranking event in three successive years when he defends his Wuhan Open title. Xiao celebrated back-to-back victories at the tournament with a taut 10-9 win over Gary Wilson on Saturday, a year after his maiden success at the competition. "In the past I was often too cautious," said a thrilled Xiao.

Watch Xiao seal back-to-back Wuhan Open titles in dramatic decider

Video credit: TNT Sports

Xiao Guodong became the first player to successfully defend a major ranking event since Gary Wilson lifted back-to-back titles at the Scottish Open in 2022 and 2023.

Xiao secured the title in Wuhan for the second straight year with an epic 10-9 win over Wilson, hitting back from 8-6 behind, after defeating Si Jiahui 10-7 to claim his maiden ranking crown at the event last year.

The last player to win three ranking titles in consecutive years in the modern era of professional snooker was Judd Trump at the Northern Ireland Open in 2020 with a third straight 9-7 win over snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan in Belfast.

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It enabled the world No. 1 to equal the previous best of Stephen Hendry's dominant spell at the UK Championship between 1994 and 1996.

Hendry famously reeled off a record five straight world titles between 1992 and 1996, with the only other man to win the same ranking event four times in consecutive years being Steve Davis at the UK Championship between 1984 and 1987.

But Xiao has plenty of road ahead before he returns to Wuhan.

"Winning a first ranking title is hard, winning a second is even harder," Xiao, 38, told TNT Sports.

"To be able to come back to this city and successfully defend the title really means a lot. I’ve been a professional for 17, now 18 years, so I’m not a young player any more.

"As an experienced player, winning two ranking titles at this stage feels a bit late, but in another way the timing is just right.

"Over the years, I’ve built up experience, and I think this breakthrough is the result of all the work and the lessons I’ve learned.

"In the past, I was often too cautious, but last year and again this year I told myself to just play my game, not to worry about ranking or prize money, but to fully commit to the match and enjoy it.

"I really love this sport, and I just want to do the best I can every time I play."

Watch in full as Xiao sinks 147 to delight Wuhan Open crowd

Video credit: TNT Sports

Xiao first turned professional in 2007, reaching the final of the Shanghai Masters in 2013 and Snooker Shoot Out in 2017, but waited 17 years to win his first ranking event with his second triumph a season later propelling him among the game's elite.

After starting the week as world No. 14, he will end it at a career-high of eighth after retaining the handsome trophy and earning the £140,000 first prize.

The 2024 Champion of Champions finalist also compiled the second 147 of his career during a 5-0 win over Mink Nutcharut in his tournament opener amid an overall haul of six centuries.

"My biggest gain over the past year has been growth in my mentality. I’m calmer and more composed now," he said.

"Compared with when I first turned professional more than 10 years ago, I think this is the most mature stage of my career. Back then, even if I had good results, I might not have been able to handle it properly.

"Now I feel much more settled and determined about the path I’m on.

"I just want to focus on every shot and enjoy what I do out there."

‘Laying down the law’ – Referee warns fans about noise after whistling interrupts Wilson

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wilson earned £63,000 as runner-up to move back into the top 16, with Masters champion Shaun Murphy dropping out of the elite for the first time in 19 years as he slipped to 17th spot.

Murphy has the chance to quickly make amends when he begins his Xi'an Grand Prix campaign against Liam Highfield in qualifying on Tuesday afternoon in Leicester.

Despite opting to miss the event, Ronnie O'Sullivan retains his spot among the top four with Xiao's 6-3 win over Mark Williams in the semi-finals denying the Welshman the chance to move back above his fellow 'Class of '92' icon.

World's top 16 after 2025 Wuhan Open

1. Judd Trump (Eng) £1,955,200
2. Kyren Wilson (Eng) £1,341,800
3. Neil Robertson (Aus) £1,051,550
4. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) £940,000
5. Mark Williams (Wal) £911,100
6. John Higgins (Sco) £779,750
7. Ding Junhui (Chn) £640,500
8. Xiao Guodong (Chn) £596,500
9. Mark Selby (Eng) £582,500
10. Mark Allen (NI) £549,900
11. Zhao Xintong (Chn) £548,000
12. Barry Hawkins (Eng) £522,050
13. Zhang Anda (Chn) £512,550
14. Chris Wakelin (Eng) £476,900
15. Si Jiahui (Chn) £457,700
16. Gary Wilson (Eng) £437,900

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