Zhang Anda overcame compatriot Zhou Yuelong 6-5 on the final black to earn his place in the final of the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong.
There’s a historic all-Chinese lineup this weekend at the Kai Tak Arena, with World Champion Zhao Xintong and back-to-back Wuhan Open winner Xiao Guodong contesting the other last four tie. The only two countries to have achieved this previously are England and Scotland.
Victory for 2023 International Champion Zhang sees him through to his fourth ranking event final, with the chance to capture a second title. A best of 19 frame encounter tomorrow stands between him and the £180,000 top prize.
Today’s win books Zhang a place in the Sportsbet.io Players Championship in Telford, where only the top 16 peformers this season secure a spot. It means that he temporarily dislodges Crucible king Zhao, who needs to win his semi-final later.
Defeat acts as a bitter pill to swallow for 28-year-old Zhou, who is still hunting an elusive maiden ranking crown. He’s now lost in five semi-finals and four finals, including at this season’s English Open.
It was a fiercely contested semi-final this afternoon, which was just shy of four and a half hours playing time. There was never more than a solitary frame between the pair and the match concluded with a thrilling final three frames.
With the score locked at 4-4, it was 34-year-old Zhang who made the first move for the finish line. A superb break of 121 moved him one away at 5-4. However, Zhou refused to back down and made 82 in the next to force a decider.
The final frame was in the balance when Zhang missed the final red with the rest and gifted his opponent an opportunity. He got down to the blue, but failed to find position on what would have been match ball. A safety battle ensued, before Zhou eventually lost the white into the right hand middle pocket. Zhang stepped up and potted the remaining three balls to earn his place in the final.
“I was nervous in the last frame and I’m still nervous here. My hands are shaking. It is very exciting. I just hope tomorrow is a great final,” said world number 23 Zhang.
“I don’t know why I’m playing so well this week. Maybe just because my family are here. They give me more confidence and I love Hong Kong. I can speak Cantonese here so it is like a second home.
“I am very proud to be one of four Chinese semi-finalists. I believe in the future there will be more young Chinese players and it will only get better.“
World Champion Zhao Xintong overcame compatriot Xiao Guodong 6-3 to earn his place in the World Grand Prix final at the Kai Tak Arena in Hong Kong.
Victory means Zhao, who narrowly beat Chris Wakelin 5-4 in the quarter-finals, will now progress to face Zhang Anda in tomorrow’s title match. They will battle it out over the best of 19 frames with a £180,000 top prize on the line.
Zhao will be aiming for the fourth ranking crown of his career. He’s previously picked up silverware at the 2021 UK Championship, 2022 German Masters, as well as last year’s World Championship.
Zhang earned his place with a thrilling 6-5 win over Zhou Yuelong on the final black earlier. The all-Chinese semi-final lineup this weekend is a first in the country’s history. The only countries to have achieved this previously are England and Scotland.
Today’s win for Zhao secures his place at the upcoming Sportsbet.io Players Championship in Telford. Only the top 16 peformers this season earn their spot in the next stage of the Players Series. Zhang leapt into a qualifying slot with his win earlier and victory for Zhao means Gary Wilson is denied a spot.
The opening frame saw Zhao lead 56-0, before current back-to-back Wuhan Open winner Xiao produced a fine break of 65 to steal on the black. Contributions of 55 and 69 then allowed 28-year-old Zhao to take the lead for the first time at 2-1, but Xiao claimed the last before the mid-session and restored parity at 2-2.
When play resumed, a burst of three consecutive frames took Zhao to the brink of victory at 5-2, but a steely 63 in the eighth kept Xiao in contention and extended the match. It was a short lived reprieve, with Zhao hammering home a superb 121 break to score a 6-3 victory.
“I played much better today than yesterday. I made some good adjustments in all aspects. I was able to stay within my own rhythm. As a result, my overall performance was quite good,” said world number eight Zhao.
“The final frame went very smoothly. What I showed today was my normal level, because previously I gave my opponent too many chances. Whenever I had an opportunity, I was basically able to finish it in one visit, so I really did play well today.
“Competing in a relatively big tournament like this and facing Xiao Guodong in the semi-finals was a different feeling. Although we are very good friends, once it comes to competition, we both want to win. We both brought out 100 percent of our level.
“I hope the fans will continue to support me. Especially yesterday, I could really feel the atmosphere and support from the audience and that was a huge help to me. As for the final, a win is a win and a loss is a loss—there isn’t any specific goal. Zhang Anda and I train together every day and we know each other very well. I lost to him not long ago, so tomorrow I will definitely give it my best.”
Of the two finalists, Zhao is probably the most gifted and the easiest on the eye but it would be a big mistake to underestimate Zhang Anda’s determination and will to win. Also, as mentioned by Zhao himself, Zhang has beaten him recently. I can’t see this final being one-sided.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 