Xiao Guodong was the “surprise package” yesterday in Bolton as he defeated Ronnie and Mark Selby to win his group. Here is the report by shared WST:

IN-FORM XIAO KNOCKS OUT O’SULLIVAN AND SELBY

Xiao Guodong enjoyed a timely fluke in the deciding frame as he beat Mark Selby 6-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions.

Enjoying the best season of his career, highlighted by the capture of his first ranking title at last month’s Wuhan Open, Xiao had another memorable day as he beat two of snooker’s all time greats. A 4-3 success against Ronnie O’Sullivan, from 3-0 behind, was followed by a 6-5 victory over Selby as Xiao earned a meeting defending champion Mark Allen in the semi-finals on Friday at 7pm. 

China’s 35-year-old Xiao is playing the best snooker of his life and will be determined to double his tally of trophies. A fierce battle with Selby came down to the last few balls and he came out on top, helped by a huge slice of luck.

Selby cruised into a 3-0 lead with breaks of 89, 63 and 120 before Xiao pulled one back with a 118. A run of 64 put Selby 4-1 ahead but he failed to score a point in the next three frames as Xiao rattled in breaks of 80 and 59 in closing to 4-4. Frame nine went Selby’s way as he regained the lead. The tenth came down to a safety battle on the colours, and Xiao knocked in excellent pots on green, brown and blue to level at 5-5.

Selby had first chance in the decider and made 39 before missing a red to centre, then Xiao replied with 58 and played safe. An exchange on the yellow ended when Xiao’s attempted safety came off three cushions and rolled into a baulk corner, and he took advantage with a thumping green before adding brown, blue and pink.

“I didn’t think I could win,” Xiao told ITV. “In the last frame I was a lucky boy and I feel sorry for Mark. There was pressure because the game was close, but I enjoyed it, I was relaxed. Winning in Wuhan has helped me a lot.

“To play snooker you have to be happy. In Wuhan my family was there, my wife and friends. Before that, I was playing for 20 years and practising hard but sometimes when I lost I was sad. I have changed my mindset now and I’m enjoying it.“

Earlier in the day, Xiao got the better of O’Sullivan, a four-time winner of this title. Breaks of 65, 95 and 125 put O’Sullivan 3-0 ahead before Xiao, who had not scored a point in the first three frames, stormed back with 130, 88 and 85 for 3-3 before edging the decider. Selby saw off Shaun Murphy 4-2 with runs of 96, 132, 76 and 72. 

Both matches were quite similar. In both cases the favourite ran to a 3-0 lead, and was playing well, scoring heavily. In both cases, Xiao came back at them with a vengeance. All credits to him.

Ronnie came back to the table in frame 6, despite being too far behind to have any hope of redeeming that frame. This clearly shows that he certainly didn’t give up on that match.

If the press is to be believed, Xiao apologised to both his opponents after the matches. No need for that. Yes, he had a bit of the run of the balls but that’s part of the sport. On your day they run for you, on another day they run against you…

The above report doesn’t mention the reaction of either Ronnie or Mark, but I found some quotes by Ronnie in the press. All things considered he was quite positive about it all.

O’Sullivan, meanwhile, was defiant after his surprise loss as he downplayed the possibility of calling time on his glittering career.

“I have been on a roll for 30 years,” he said. “It will end when I decide it ends. I’ve very rarely had an average season since turning pro.

“I might have had a couple of years with things going on off the table which meant I couldn’t really focus on snooker and went missing. I definitely had six years where I was partying a bit much.

“I might have won a few tournaments in that period, but when I’ve had my mind and focus right I usually do all right. I’ll keep playing and keep enjoying it. That’s the most important thing for me.”