Chinese snooker fans are celebrating after Ding Junhui, Xu Si, and Xiao Guodong powered into the semifinals of the World Snooker Tour (WST) International Championship in Nanjing! The trio delivered thrilling performances on Thursday, showcasing China's growing dominance in the sport.
Ding Junhui's Epic Showdown 🏆
Ding, a national icon, stunned England's World Champion Kyren Wilson with a nail-biting 6-4 victory. After racing to a 4-1 lead with breaks of 57, 72, and 84, Ding faced a fierce comeback from Wilson. But the crowd roared as he sealed the win with back-to-back century breaks (129 and 123) – a true \"clutch moment\" worthy of a sports drama 🎬.
\"The crowd's energy pushed me to play my best,\" Ding said post-match. \"Beating a player like Kyren? That’s next-level.\"
Xu Si and Xiao Guodong also advanced, defeating Ireland’s Aaron Hill and England’s Tom Ford respectively. The tournament’s semifinal lineup now features three Chinese players – a historic first for the event!
Why This Matters 🌐
With snooker’s popularity soaring in Asia, this WST Championship highlights China’s rising talent pool. For young fans and aspiring players, these wins are more than just trophies – they’re proof that homegrown athletes can compete on the global stage. Stay tuned for Friday’s semifinals!
