Legendary excuses

Giant slayer Xiao Guodong has apologized to legends Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby for knocking them out with incredible comebacks on the same day.

Xiao now goes into tonight’s clash with Mark Williams as a mere underdog.

But after beating Selby, Xiao told ITV: “I think it’s my best win ever, and also against Ronnie.

“I didn’t think I could win this match because in the first three frames, I didn’t manage to pocket a single ball.

“I still can’t believe I won against two legends.

“I’m very happy to have won, but I’m really sorry to Ronnie and Mark Selby because they also played well, and in the last round I got a bit lucky.

“You have to love playing snooker. We train and practice a lot, but sometimes we don’t appreciate it when we lose. You feel so sad and unhappy.

“But now I have changed. Whether I win or lose, it doesn’t matter. Enjoy it and be happy to enjoy your work.”

Clip shows snooker match at center of repairs claim

Footage has emerged of the snooker match that Mark King allegedly fixed, writes KATHERINE WALSH.

The former Northern Ireland Open champion has been hit with a five-year ban for match-fixing.

King was found guilty of “one count of match-fixing and one count of providing inside information about that match.”

He was initially suspended by the WPBSA in March 2023a month after suspicious bets were reported on their 4-0 defeat to Joe Perry in the first round of the Welsh Open.

And now Eurosport footage of the match in question against Perry has resurfaced.

While you can’t say he deliberately misplaced these shots, the video shows King quickly walking around the table.

Almost £0.5 million at stake

The winner of the tournament will take home £150,000, from an overall prize pool of £400,000.

The two losing semi-finalists receive a consolation prize of £30,000.

And whoever loses Sunday’s final will win double that amount.

• Winner: £150,000
• Runner-up: £60,000
• Losing semi-finalists: £30,000
• Losing quarter-finalists: £17,500
• Round of 16 losers: £12,500
• Total: £440,000

Will Xiao be able to score a superb hat-trick tonight?

Xiao Guodong is hoping to score an incredible hat-trick in 24 hours this evening, just to reach the final. »

The Chinese star follows yesterday’s wins over Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby by taking on Mark Allen, who topped the world rankings this summer.

Xiao notched wins of 4-3 and 6-5 each time after losing heavily in the first three frames each time.

He now faces Jak Jones’ quarterfinal winner Allen.

Calendar:
7 p.m. tonight – Mark Allen vs. Xiao Guodong

Coming tomorrow…

Mark Williams versus Neil Robertson should be a gripping semi-final tomorrow night.

Judd Trump’s conqueror Neil Robertson has found resurgent form in recent weeks.

And three-time world champion Williams, 49, has shown the best of himself this year.

Robertson, the 2010 Crucible king, is now the tournament favorite at around 2/1, with his Welsh rival coming in third at around 3/1.

Saturday program:
7 p.m. – Mark Williams vs. Neil Robertson.