Wuhan Open

Stan Moody 5 Hawkins 0

Yes, after beating the Ding Curse, Moody whitewashed Hawkins.

Si Jiahui made no mistake, beating Maguire 5-2. Last year's other finalist Xiao Guodong is also through beating Matthew Selt by the same score. Mark Williams beat Selby 5-3, Mark Allen beat Thepchaiya 5-1. Gary Wilson saw his 3-1 lead against Judd exaporate, but took the last 2 frames to upset Judd 5-4.

Quarter final line-up:

Mark Williams v Zhang Anda
Xiao Guodong v Stan Moody
Mark Allen v Si Jiahui
Gary Wilson v John Higgins

A somewhat refreshing line-up for a change

Last year's finalist Xiao Guodong ended Stan Moody's good run, beating him 5-2. Si Jiahui failed to join him in the semi finals, losing a deciding frame to Mark Allen. Allen made a decisive 70 break to win 5-4.

Elsewhere John Higgins made an unlucky in off in frame 8 giving Gary Wilson the match 5-3 when the frame could have gone either way following a safety battle on the brown. Mark Williams easily dispatched Zhang Anda 5-1.

Semi final line-up:

Xiao Guodong v Mark Williams
Gary Wilson v Mark Allen

From 2-1 down, Gary Wilson won 5 frames in a row to win 6-2. While Allen lost, he did enough to get back into the top 16, knocking Tubbs into 17th place.

A solid performance from Xiao Guodong to beat Mark Williams 6-3 and give himself a chance to retain the title.

Final:
Xiao Guodong v Gary Wilson

Impressive turn of events for both of them.

Should be a close final the way both have played so far in the event.

And close it turned out. Xiao took a 5-4 lead into the interval, but on the resumption Wilson took 4 of the next 5 frames to go 8-6 up. Xiao responded by taking the next 3 frames to go 9-8 up. Wilson made a fighting 52 break to take the match to a decider, but Xiao dominated the deciding frame to win 10-9.

Xiao retains the title, but consolation for Wilson as he showed he can still get to a ranking final, and he's back in the top 16.

Nice to see two of the less glamorous contenders pull out a marathon like that. Well done both.