By World Snooker Tour

Xiao Guodong continued to build on his career-best season as he won a match at the Crucible for only the second time, beating Matthew Selt 10-4 to reach the last 16 of the Halo World Championship.

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At the age of 36, Xiao has made a huge leap forward in his career in 2024/25, winning his first ranking title at the Wuhan Open, reaching the final of the Champion of Champions and climbing into the top 16. A seed at the Crucible for the first time, he is determined to finish the campaign on a high note, and today's result doubled his tally of wins at the Crucible, his only previous success coming in 2017 when he beat Ryan Day. Xiao's next opponent is John Higgins or Joe O'Connor.

"Everyone wants to play their best at the Crucible, it's such an important event," said Xiao, who lives just one minute walk from snooker's most famous venue. "This season I have won a title and been in nine quarter-finals. I want to be at my best in the last tournament. I have played Matt for many years, I know how good he is. He won his qualifying match from 8-3 down, he is very dangerous. I had to be at my best. I am very happy to win. I won't think too much about the next round, I will just try to enjoy it with no pressure."

Xiao built a 7-2 lead in the first session on Saturday with top breaks of 69, 120, 73, 109 and 57. Selt hit back this morning with runs of 54 and 83 to close to 7-4, and had a chance in frame 12 to clear from 53-8 down, but crucially missed the pink to a centre pocket after potting the last red on 33. Xiao took advantage by clearing the colours, and that proved the key moment as he added the last two frames with 62 and 52.

Along with Ding Junhui, Xiao is something of a father figure for the growing contingent of successful Chinese players as he has lived in the UK for 17 years. He helps them to learn English and settle into life away from their families. Back in his home city of Chongqing, he is also involved in coaching and nurturing young talent. 

This year there are a record ten Chinese players among the 32 at the Crucible, and already Xiao and Lei Peifan are into the last 16, while Zhao Xintong could follow them as he leads Jak Jones 7-2. 

"I am very proud," Xiao added. "Lei was unbelievable last night (beating defending champion Kyren Wilson 10-9). When I look back 20 years ago there was only Ding and Marco Fu. Now to have ten Chinese players at the Crucible is amazing. In the future there will be many more young talents. I see them come to the UK, I am an older player and I can help them, I always try my best."

Last year's runner-up Jones will need a huge comeback against Zhao on Monday morning to avoid a first round exit. Former UK Champion Zhao won four matches in the qualifying rounds and continued to look a genuine contender for the title as he raced ahead.

Breaks of 84, 91, 142, 70, 76, 61 and 54 helped Zhao go 7-1 up. Jones took the last of the morning with a run of 70 but will need eight of the last 11 frames when they return at 10am tomorrow.