Xiao Guodong enjoyed a timely fluke in the deciding frame as he beat Mark Selby 6-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions.
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Enjoying the best season of his career, highlighted by the capture of his first ranking title at last month's Wuhan Open, Xiao had another memorable day as he beat two of snooker's all time greats. A 4-3 success against Ronnie O'Sullivan, from 3-0 behind, was followed by a 6-5 victory over Selby as Xiao earned a meeting defending champion Mark Allen in the semi-finals on Friday at 7pm.
China's 35-year-old Xiao is playing the best snooker of his life and will be determined to double his tally of trophies. A fierce battle with Selby came down to the last few balls and he came out on top, helped by a huge slice of luck.
Selby cruised into a 3-0 lead with breaks of 89, 63 and 120 before Xiao pulled one back with a 118. A run of 64 put Selby 4-1 ahead but he failed to score a point in the next three frames as Xiao rattled in breaks of 80 and 59 in closing to 4-4. Frame nine went Selby's way as he regained the lead. The tenth came down to a safety battle on the colours, and Xiao knocked in excellent pots on green, brown and blue to level at 5-5.
Selby had first chance in the decider and made 39 before missing a red to centre, then Xiao replied with 58 and played safe. An exchange on the yellow ended when Xiao's attempted safety came off three cushions and rolled into a baulk corner, and he took advantage with a thumping green before adding brown, blue and pink.
"I didn't think I could win," Xiao told ITV. "In the last frame I was a lucky boy and I feel sorry for Mark. There was pressure because the game was close, but I enjoyed it, I was relaxed. Winning in Wuhan has helped me a lot.
"To play snooker you have to be happy. In Wuhan my family was there, my wife and friends. Before that, I was playing for 20 years and practising hard but sometimes when I lost I was sad. I have changed my mindset now and I'm enjoying it."
Earlier in the day, Xiao got the better of O'Sullivan, a four-time winner of this title. Breaks of 65, 95 and 125 put O'Sullivan 3-0 ahead before Xiao, who had not scored a point in the first three frames, stormed back with 130, 88 and 85 for 3-3 before edging the decider. Selby saw off Shaun Murphy 4-2 with runs of 96, 132, 76 and 72.