Kyren Wilson’s World Grand Prix Nightmare: Xiao Guodong Stuns Top Seed, Dashes Defending Champion’s Players Championship Hopes
Kyren Wilson’s exit from the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong was not just a personal disappointment, but it also highlighted his frustrations with the tournament’s scheduling. The world number two faced a 5-2 defeat at the hands of China’s Xiao Guodong in the opening session, a result that dashed his hopes of defending his title at the upcoming Players Championship.
Xiao, who has steadily climbed the ranks in recent years, was in superb form. The 36-year-old, fresh off an impressive Masters debut where he stunned Mark Selby, continued his winning ways with a clinical display against Wilson. Xiao took an early lead, going 2-1 up with impressive breaks of 87 and 86. Wilson showed glimpses of his usual quality, responding with an 83 in frame two, but it wasn’t enough to halt the Chinese player’s momentum.
The match was a test of nerves as well as skill, with Xiao managing to come from 56-0 down in the fourth frame to clinch it, before sealing the fifth frame on the colours for a commanding 4-1 lead. Wilson briefly fought back, but Xiao finished off the contest in the next frame with solid runs of 36 and 48.
Wilson’s early exit means he will miss out on the Players Championship in Telford this year, where only the top 16 players on the one-year ranking list can compete. With his current standing at 18th, Wilson’s defense of the title he won last year by defeating Judd Trump 10-9 in a thrilling final is now impossible.
For Xiao, the win marks yet another breakthrough in a season where he’s made a name for himself, having already won the Wuhan Open twice. He expressed his pleasure with the tournament in Hong Kong, praising the comfortable setup of the competition, the food, and the hotel. Despite being a fan of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Xiao said he’d welcome a clash with either O’Sullivan or Joe O’Connor in the next round, adding that he was focused on maintaining his concentration and enjoying the challenge.
Meanwhile, there were other notable performances in the tournament, with Zhou Yuelong defeating Stephen Maguire 5-2, bolstering his own chances of qualifying for the Players Championship as he sits at 16th in the standings. Elliot Slessor also made a comeback from 2-0 down to beat Stuart Bingham 5-2. UK Champion Mark Selby delivered a stunning performance, whitewashing Aaron Hill 5-0 with breaks of 60, 100, 82, 94, and 76, showcasing why he’s one of the top players in the game.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on who can make the final push for the top spots in the rankings, with some big names fighting to avoid early exits and secure their places in upcoming prestigious events.
