In an exhilarating match at the Scottish Open, 21-year-old snooker prodigy Wu Yize illustrated his remarkable talent, battling back to vanquish compatriot Xiao Guodong with a final score of 6-4. This victory not only marks Wu’s place in his second career final but also showcases his continual ascent in the competitive arena of professional snooker. Wu’s impressive performance throughout the 2024/25 season has made him a hot topic of discussion among snooker enthusiasts, and his achievement of reaching the final of the English Open earlier in the season only adds to his burgeoning reputation.
The prospect of clinching the coveted Stephen Hendry Trophy now looms ahead for Wu, with only one match separating him from the prestigious accolade. Mark Allen and Lei Peifan, who are set to go head-to-head in the second semi-final on Saturday evening, will have to consider Wu’s potential, especially since he has the ability to elevate his game significantly beyond what was displayed against Xiao.
The match began with a tense safety exchange that marked the opening of the first frame. A wayward shot from Wu, who missed a red into the bottom right pocket, provided a crucial opportunity for Xiao, who capitalized on it expertly to build a 48-point lead. Even though Xiao’s pot success rate was a respectable 76%, the first frame was a lengthy affair, extending to a duration of 28 minutes as he finally secured it in a somewhat uneventful style.
Wu struggled to find his rhythm initially, and his troubles were compounded when he missed another red in the second frame. However, Xiao faltered as well, overcutting a black ball which presented Wu with a chance to gain some footing. Despite accumulating 38 points, Wu relinquished control of the cue ball, making a mistake that Xiao swiftly took advantage of to double his lead, moving to a comfortable position.
Just when it appeared that Xiao might take a strong hold by leading three frames to none, he made a critical error in the third frame by misjudging a red that could have extended his lead. This gave Wu the opening he needed to settle his nerves and clinch the frame, subsequently gaining momentum. Following a tactical exchange and a well-executed break of 63, Wu went into the interval on even terms at 2-2.
Upon resuming, Xiao demonstrated his capabilities with a dazzling break of 76, once again putting him in the lead. However, he narrowly avoided another lapse in concentration, as he almost lost the sixth frame. Wu needed both the pink and black balls to steal the frame but miscalculated, leaving the pink disappointingly hanging over the pocket. Xiao seized the opportunity to extend his lead to 4-2.
Despite facing a hefty 56-point deficit in the seventh frame, the highly rated Wu exhibited why he is regarded so highly in snooker circles. With skillful shot-making, he managed to manipulate the reds into advantageous positions, completing a sensational clearance of 67 to claim the frame, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Following a tense exchange in the eighth frame that saw Xiao miss the white ball, Wu took full advantage with a break of 57, leveling the match at 4-4. Wu’s confidence surged as he completed a stunning break of 115 in the ninth, showcasing his talent in spectacular fashion—a moment that left the audience in awe.
With the momentum firmly on his side, Wu demonstrated poise under pressure. Conclusively defeating Xiao with a composed break of 54, he secured the victory and a spot in the final, creating expectations of a thrilling showdown against either Allen or Lei. As viewers look forward to witnessing further snooker action, Wu Yize’s journey through the Scottish Open continues to signal his emergence as a formidable player on the professional circuit. Fans can catch all the excitement—live and on demand—on platforms like Webpressnews and discovery+.
