Wu Yize showcased remarkable resilience and skill at the Scottish Open, rallying from behind to secure his place in the final with a 6-4 victory over fellow compatriot Xiao Guodong. The semi-final, held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, saw Wu, only 21 years old, fight back after trailing 4-2, pulling off four successive frames to clinch the win.
The match started tentatively for both players, with Wu struggling to find his rhythm early on. Xiao capitalized on Wu's mistakes, leaping to a 2-0 lead. The first frame was particularly long and tedious, taking 28 minutes, before Xiao, rewarded by his opponent's errors, grasped the frame.
Wu, who has garnered attention for his exceptional play during the 2024/25 snooker season, stumbled briefly, missing key shots and letting Xiao extend his lead. Xiao's scoring was impressive, including breaks of 50 and 76 as he appeared set to take control of the match.
After going 2-0 down, Wu started to stabilize his game, leveling the match at 2-2 with breaks of 63 and 76, showcasing his ability to adapt and focus. Wu's impressive run culminated with him taking the fourth frame, where he seized opportunities as Xiao faltered.
At the halfway point of the match, the momentum shifted decisively. After trailing 4-2, Wu mounted his significant comeback, beginning with the seventh frame where he produced a stunning clearance of 67 after being down by 56 points. His performance transformed the game, leading to three consecutive frames.
Both players exchanged safety strokes as the tension escalated, but Xiao inadvertently compounded his woes by potting the cue ball, handing control back to Wu. With precision and focus, Wu capitalized, scoring breaks of 57 and later, culminating the match with a dazzling break of 115, sealing the victory with the final frame at 6-4.
Wu's triumph not only advances him to the final on Sunday against the winner of the Lei Peifan versus Mark Allen match but also marks his second career final appearance, reinforcing the narrative of the rising Chinese stars in snooker. Observers like Jimmy White and Alan McManus see Wu as one of the next potential superstars of the sport.
"Wu has been the talk of the snooker circuit for some time," commented one analyst. "His ability to recover and maintain composure under pressure is impressive, and he is certainly one to watch."
Having demonstrated such skill, viewers can expect Wu Yize to bring his best game to the final, proving not only his talent but also the bright future he carries for Chinese snooker.
This semi-final has not only intensified the competition at the Scottish Open but has also provided fans with thrilling snooker action, showcasing talented players at the top of their game. Engage with more of the Scottish Open’s action, as the tournament continues to highlight rising stars like Wu Yize, asserting themselves on one of snooker’s biggest stages.
