Selby and Zhou Shine as Xi’an Grand Prix Qualification heats Up
The qualification rounds for the prestigious Xi’an Grand Prix in Leicester are delivering thrilling action, setting the stage for a £850,000 ranking tournament. Professionals are battling for a coveted spot in the televised stages in China, with the current phase concluding on Wednesday. The early rounds have already produced standout performances and surprising upsets.
Dominance and Rising Stars
Four-time world champion Mark Selby reaffirmed his status as a snooker icon, securing his place in the final round with a commanding 5-0 victory over Gong Chenzhi. The “Jester From Leicester” showcased his exceptional skill, punctuated by extraordinary breaks of 103, 63, 111, and 52 points. This decisive win underscores Selby’s continued prowess in the sport.
However, Selby wasn’t the only player generating buzz.A remarkable performance came from 14-year-old Michal Szubarczyk of Poland, who defeated Martin O’Donnell 5-4 in a nail-biting contest. Despite building a seemingly agreeable 4-1 lead with breaks of 95 and 84, Szubarczyk faced a resilient comeback from O’Donnell, ultimately prevailing through sheer composure in the deciding frame.
Close Contests and Notable Victories
Several matches proved to be fiercely competitive. David Grace narrowly avoided a collapse, initially surrendering a 4-0 advantage before ultimately winning 5-4 against Anthony McGill after a 48-minute decider decided by the final black ball. Similarly, Mark Allen was pushed to the limit, needing a 73 break in the final frame to overcome Mitchell Mann.
In contrast, Ali Carter, known as “the captain,” enjoyed a more straightforward victory, defeating Allan taylor 5-1 and showcasing a notable 76 series. Louis Heathcote delivered a standout performance, achieving a 5-3 win over Scottish open Champion Lei Peifan, concluding the match with a meaningful 135 series. Wu Yize also achieved the same score, but required a deciding frame to defeat Florian Nuessle.
Yao Pengcheng secured a 5-1 win against Zak Surety while simultaneously recording the highest series of the day with an impressive 137 points. As Jones also demonstrated strong form, achieving a 5-0 victory over Haydon Pinhey with breaks of 91, 74, 98, 68, and 53 points.
zhou Yuelong’s Historic 147
The true highlight of the qualification rounds, though, came from Zhou Yuelong. The 27-year-old Chinese player achieved his third career 147 break during his match against Julien Leclercq, completing the perfect game in the fourth frame to take a 3-1 lead.He then sealed a 5-2 victory with further breaks of 99, 73, and 77 points, earning his place in the final round.
