Seven-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and current Crucible king Kyren Wilson prevailed in their respective last eight encounters to set up a mouth watering semi-final meeting at the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix.
O’Sullivan is now set to appear in the 93rd semi-final of his incredible career. However, he needed to hold off a brilliant fightback from world number 37 Matthew Selt, who he eventually defeated 5-4.
The loss for Selt extends his wait for a first ever win over O’Sullivan, who now leads their head to head 3-0.
It appeared to be plain sailing in today’s match for the Rocket, when he moved into a commanding 4-2 lead. However, Selt showed his class to rally with breaks of 105 and 95 to force a decider.
Both players had chances early on in the final frame. O’Sullivan was first in and missed a black on 36 to allow Selt an opportunity for a momentous victory. He could only make 13 and O’Sullivan got back in to compile a match winning 35 to seal his place in the semis.
O’Sullivan said: “I thought the way Matt played, when I missed that black and he was at the table, that he would clear up. He was playing well. He allowed me to get back in the game and gave me a chance. At 4-4 anything could happen, but Matt deserved to win today, he was the best player by a long way.”
World Champion Wilson had a more straightforward route to the last four, demolishing China’s Xu Si 5-1 in just over one hour and 30 minutes.
The Warrior had a rocky start to his reign as World Champion when he was defeated 6-0 by Zhou Yuelong in his first knockout appearance at the Shanghai Masters. However, he has looked far sharper this week.
Breaks of 69, 50 and 115 helped him to victory over Xu and set up tomorrow’s game with O’Sullivan, who he defeated 6-5 in their most recent meeting at the 2021 UK Championship.
O’SULLIVAN AND SELT’S DECIDER
Here are the scores for Ronnie’s match:
As you can see Ronnie dominated the first mini-session, but Matt was by far the better player after the MSI. Eventually though, when the decider came, when it really mattered, it’s Ronnie who held it together and won. He will however to play much better tomorrow to stand any chance to beat the reigning World Champion, Kyren Wilson.
WST shared Ronnie’s Press conference on Youtube:
And, yes, that’s what it takes to be a great champion, that obsession which comes at a price of course. It takes a lot out of the person, and it impacts their entourage as well.
And this mindset also transpires in this one where Ronnie is speaking to Tai Chengze after his last 16 win:
Both are very revealing of his “Champion” mindset.
And … as usual … a few images from the match, shared by WST and on Weibo
I didn’t see a ball from the other afternoon match between Kyren Wilson and Xu Si , so can’t comment.
Judd Trump is closing in on a return to the summit of the world rankings, after beating David Gilbert 5-2 to make the semi-finals of the Xi’an Grand Prix.
The Ace in the Pack is yet to be beaten this season, after a brilliant display to win the Shanghai Masters for the first time last month.
Trump has now won his first nine matches of the current campaign. He is also on a hot streak in China, winning 23 of his last 24 matches in the country.
Gilbert has enjoyed a return to form in recent months, having made the semi-finals of the World Championship at the end of last season and performed well in the Championship League. However, Trump was too hot to handle today.
Breaks of 52, 67, 67, and 94 helped 2019 World Champion Trump through this evening. One more win in the semi-finals, against Daniel Wells, would be enough to see the Englishman dethrone Mark Allen as world number one.
“I think I just want to win more than anyone else. I’m willing to put the work in more than anyone else. I see a lot of people taking time off and turning up with excuses. I don’t want to be that person. I want to practise every day and at every opportunity. I want to be the best in the world and win every event I play in. You only get one career and there is no point wasting time and taking days off.”
Judd Trump
2019 World Champion
Trump added: “Daniel is a surprise package but he is someone I grew up with and practised with many times. He has had spells on and off the tour but he is more than good enough to sustain his standard. It is nice to see him in a semi-final but friendships go out the window at this stage.”
Wells produced a fine display to reach his third ranking event semi-final, defeating former Crucible finalist Barry Hawkins 5-3.
It’s a significant moment for the Welshman, who fell off the tour in 2021 and spent time working for his mother’s cleaning business in Neath. This is his most significant result since regaining his professional status last year.
Wells said: “It is relief more than anything. I practise to try and win something. To be in the semis, I have given myself a chance to do that. I have a long road ahead. There is a bit of elation being in the semi-finals but the job’s not done.”
The old lady I am1 isn’t sure what to say about Trump’s quotes, what to say to Judd… Maybe this: “You know Judd … there is more to life than a career. Your work ethic is admirable but, maybe, you’d see things differently if you had young children or elderly parents who need you, who need time with you. You get only one life, and those around you, those who love you, those you love … also get only one life.”
As for Daniel Wells, he is the surprise package in this SF line-up indeed. He’s a very, very good player but hasn’t really got the results that he should have got given his talent. Recently he was very upset by Ronnie’s criticism, and Ronnie seeing him as a mediocre player. But the truth is that he has rarely played to the level he’s capable of. Maybe, only maybe, Ronnie did Daniel a favour with his comments, spurring him into action, making him eager to prove how good he actually is.
One thought on “2024 Xi’an Grand Prix – QF Day – Ronnie goes through despite a poor performance”
Actually Dan Wells had reached semi-finals before Ronnie’s comments, so it’s a bit speculative to say it might have ‘helped’ him. On the other hand, he would have gone through a very unpleasant time having to face his family, friends – even children in the street – after being publicly humiliated by the biggest name in the sport.
Judd Trump’s comments were just a normal sports interview, the sort that we hear all the time by top tennis players, footballers, golf players, etc., etc. It doesn’t mean anything. But if Trump really doesn’t have much of a hinterland, it would indeed make him a strong candidate to be World No.1 for a long time.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 
Actually Dan Wells had reached semi-finals before Ronnie’s comments, so it’s a bit speculative to say it might have ‘helped’ him. On the other hand, he would have gone through a very unpleasant time having to face his family, friends – even children in the street – after being publicly humiliated by the biggest name in the sport.
Judd Trump’s comments were just a normal sports interview, the sort that we hear all the time by top tennis players, footballers, golf players, etc., etc. It doesn’t mean anything. But if Trump really doesn’t have much of a hinterland, it would indeed make him a strong candidate to be World No.1 for a long time.