Ronnie O’Sullivan struggled but held his nerve in the final frame to defeat Matthew Selt 5-4 in the Xi’an Grand Prix quarter-finals. He will face Kyren Wilson in the semi-finals after Wilson earned a 5-1 victory over Xu Si. Selt put up a strong fight, coming back from behind to level the match at 4-4 with breaks of 102, 105, and 95. However, O’Sullivan managed to clinch the win in the deciding frame despite missing a crucial shot. Wilson had a more straightforward victory over Xu with breaks of 69, 50, and 115. The semi-final between O’Sullivan and Wilson is set to take place on Saturday morning.
O’Sullivan acknowledged Selt’s strong performance, admitting that Selt was the better player on the day. He felt that Selt had opportunities to win the match but ultimately allowed O’Sullivan to come back and snatch victory. Wilson, on the other hand, had a smoother path to the semi-finals with a convincing win over Xu. O’Sullivan and Wilson will face off in a best-of-11 frame match on Saturday morning, and fans can expect an exciting clash between the two top players.
O’Sullivan praised the surroundings at the Xi’an Grand Prix, comparing them to being on a film set. The atmosphere and conditions seemed to suit O’Sullivan, who was able to navigate a tough match against Selt. The remaining quarter-finals will see Judd Trump facing David Gilbert and Barry Hawkins taking on Daniel Wells. Trump will be looking to surpass Steve Davis’ ranking event tally in China, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.
The quarter-final results set up an intriguing semi-final showdown between O’Sullivan and Wilson, two of the top players in the game. O’Sullivan’s victory over Selt was hard-fought, while Wilson’s win over Xu was more dominant. Fans can expect a high-quality match between the two players, with both looking to advance to the final. The semi-final match is scheduled for Saturday morning, and anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
O’Sullivan’s win over Selt showcased his resilience and ability to perform under pressure, while Wilson’s victory over Xu demonstrated his consistency and skill on the table. The semi-final match between the two players is highly anticipated, and both O’Sullivan and Wilson will be aiming to secure a spot in the final. With the Xi’an Grand Prix reaching its climax, the competition is heating up, and fans can expect more exciting matches as the tournament progresses. The stage is set for a thrilling semi-final clash between two of snooker’s finest players.
