Xiao Guodong knocks out Williams to reach Wuhan Open final

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-30/Xiao-Guodong-knocks-out-Williams-to-reach-Wuhan-Open-final-1GfTZo3DzvW/img/6efa3be938f949bbaeacbffc0ee61de9/6efa3be938f949bbaeacbffc0ee61de9.jpeg' alt='China's Xiao Guodong facing Wales' Mark Williams in the semi-finals of the WST Wuhan Open in Wuhan, China, August 28, 2025. /VCG'

In the WST Wuhan Open semi-finals, China’s defending champion Xiao Guodong defeated three-time world champion Mark Williams of Wales 6-3 to reach his second consecutive final.

A break of 75 in the fifth frame moved Xiao ahead 3-2, but 26-time ranking event winner Williams claimed the sixth frame to level the match. However, the 36-year-old Xiao responded immediately with a run of 80 in the seventh frame and then took the eighth to go ahead 5-3.

The 50-year-old Williams started strongly in the ninth frame with a break of 58, but a mistake on the blue allowed Xiao to return to the table. He then fired a brilliant break of 68 to secure victory. Xiao will face Gary Wilson in the final, which will be played over the best of 19 frames.