Vafaei Defies Agonizing Injury to Reach Hong Kong Quarter-Finals in Dramatic Fashion

Hossein Vafaei’s journey to the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong event has been anything but smooth. Just a week ago, he didn’t even expect to be playing, but when Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew on Saturday, Vafaei was given a last-minute entry as the next player in line on the Johnstone’s Paint One-Year Rankings. Seizing the opportunity, he edged past Si Jiahui 4-3 in the opening round before securing another nail-biting 4-3 victory over Xu Si, clinching both the sixth frame on the final black and the deciding frame on the final pink. Though his highest breaks were 58 and 56, Iran’s top snooker player has defied the odds to reach the quarter-finals, where he will face Judd Trump on Friday.

However, Vafaei’s journey has been overshadowed by a severe spinal issue. The 30-year-old former Shoot Out champion has been playing through excruciating pain caused by a disc problem in his upper spine, which has left his left arm numb and his hand trembling. “I am playing with one hand; I’m in so much pain with my neck and shoulder,” he revealed. “But I fight for my fans, and I’m delighted to win today.” Despite the discomfort, withdrawing was never an option for him. “If I pull out, what would I do? Sit and watch the others?”

Vafaei had a CT scan while in Chengdu last week but didn’t have time for an MRI. After the tournament, he plans to return to Iran for treatment with the Olympic doctor. In the meantime, he has been undergoing acupuncture with electrical stimulation to manage the pain. Reflecting on his unexpected call-up, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “I was happy to get a place, though I hope Ronnie is doing well. I love playing in Hong Kong and China—they treat us really well. Judd is a great champion and a friend, and hopefully, we can put on a great show for the fans.”

Elsewhere in the tournament, Shaun Murphy eased into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Barry Hawkins, recording top breaks of 75 and 51. Both Murphy and Neil Robertson have boosted their chances of securing a top-16 seeding for the Crucible, with their deep runs guaranteeing them at least £35,000 in prize money if they qualify for both the Sportsbet.io Players Championship and Tour Championship.

Mark Selby reached a significant milestone, making his 100th career ranking event quarter-final after defeating Jimmy Robertson 4-2, highlighted by impressive breaks of 102 and 74. The four-time World Champion, who recently triumphed at the BetVictor Welsh Open, will now face Stuart Bingham.

Meanwhile, Xiao Guodong produced a stunning comeback against Lei Peifan in an all-Chinese clash. Trailing 2-0, Xiao responded with three century breaks—117, 128, and 128—to clinch a thrilling 4-3 victory, setting up a quarter-final showdown with Neil Robertson.

With the competition heating up, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion as the remaining players battle for glory in Hong Kong.