China’s Zhao Xintong became the second Chinese player to reach the top of the world snooker ranking after beating Neil Robertson 5-1 on Thursday, while fellow Chinese Chang Bingyu and Xiao Guodong also advanced at the World Snooker Wuhan Open.
Zhao opened his quarterfinal against Robertson with breaks of 106 and 91 to take a 2-0 lead. Robertson capitalized on a mistake by Zhao to pull one frame back, but Zhao responded by winning the next three frames to seal the victory.
With world No. 1 Judd Trump and No. 2 Robertson both eliminated on the same day, Zhao moved to the top of the live rankings.
Zhao said he felt “quite calm” about reaching No. 1. “Maybe if I think about this again later, I will be very happy,” he said after the match. “But I think I still have a long way to go to become a top-level player.”
Asked about his next goal, Zhao said fans might hope he wins a Grand Slam or more titles, but he viewed those achievements as part of a longer process. “The most important thing is to enjoy the happiness that snooker brings me,” he said.
Zhao will face Xiao in the semifinals after Xiao defeated Mark Williams 5-3, ensuring that a Chinese player will reach the final.
Earlier on Thursday, China’s Chang Bingyu stunned Trump 5-1. Chang opened a 2-1 lead before winning the final three frames in succession. He sealed his first professional victory over Trump with a break of 132 in the final frame.
The win was an unexpected boost for Chang, who said he experienced some nerves after taking the 2-0 lead.
“When I was 2-0 up, I thought there was a chance I could win the match, and I did have some fluctuations mentally,” Chang said. “Fortunately, I managed to adjust in the end.”
“He is my role model because he is also left-handed, and he is world No. 1 now,” Chang added. “Being able to beat him gives me a lot of confidence.”
In the English derby between seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby, the latter took the opening two frames, while O’Sullivan responded with breaks of 87 and 96 to level the match at 2-2. O’Sullivan then moved ahead 3-2 after a tactical fifth frame in which he forced Selby into conceding after a snooker.
Selby leveled with a break of 53, but O’Sullivan then produced breaks of 80 and 129 to close out the match.
O’Sullivan said he was surprised to come through against Selby and praised his upcoming opponent.
“Chang Bingyu is very talented and has the potential to become one of the best players of his generation in China because his game is very complete,” O’Sullivan said.
Chang has previously noted O’Sullivan as the player he wants to emulate the most. And the two will meet Friday for a place in the final.
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