At the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, snooker drama reached a fever pitch as China's Xiao Guodong and Scotland's John Higgins battled to an 8-8 tie during their second session. Starting from a balanced 4-4 when play resumed, the match showcased nail-biting twists and tense exchanges that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The turning point came in the 14th frame. Xiao looked in complete control while Higgins needed two snookers on the blue ball to level the game. In a moment of high drama, Higgins engineered both snookers, only to see a twist of fate when a misdirected shot cost him the frame, giving Xiao a brief 8-7 lead. Not willing to lose ground, Higgins responded with a brilliant 129 century break that restored parity at 8-8 😎.
Elsewhere in the tournament, an equally exciting duel unfolded as Zhao Xintong carved out a 5-3 lead over his Chinese compatriot Lei Peifan. After a strong start and a stunning 120 break by Lei that pushed him to a 3-2 lead, Zhao quickly turned the tables with breaks of 53, 97, and 61, claiming three consecutive frames. Their contest promises to escalate further when play resumes later on Saturday.
This championship is a showcase of skill, resilience, and unexpected twists, proving once again why snooker captivates audiences around the world.
Reference(s):
Xiao and Higgins tied at 8-8 after Session 2 at WST World Championship
cgtn.com
