Chinese snooker players secure all-China semi-finals at World Grand Prix in Hong Kong
Experienced duo of Xiao Guodong and Zhang Anda beat younger opponents and Zhao Xintong and Zhou Yuelong narrowly won 5-4 in quarter-finals
Chinese snooker players secured a record-breaking four spots in the World Grand Prix semi-finals in Hong Kong on Friday.
In the evening quarter-finals, Zhao Xintong almost threw away his solid 4-1 lead after Englishman Chris Wakelin produced three big breaks of 91, 76 and 118 to force the decider.
Two audacious long shots to the corner pocket in the ninth frame gave reigning world champion Zhao a healthy lead before the world No 8 from China eventually ended the frame and the match with a narrow 5-4 win.
In the other evening encounter, Zhou Yuelong of China, who led 3-1 at the break, and Ali Carter also played to the deciding frame, before a fluke shot by Zhou midway through the final frame handed him a 5-4 win.
Earlier, experienced duo Xiao Guodong and Zhang Anda outlasted their younger opponents to seal semi-final spots.
Si Jiahui drew first blood in the opening frame of the quarter-final against Xiao with a break of 78, but that was the 23-year-old’s only notable break throughout the day.