Mark Selby becomes latest star name to exit World Grand Prix, Xiao Guodong 'sorry' after knocking Ronnie O'Sullivan out
Updated 05/02/2026 at 14:29 GMT
Mark Selby became the latest major player to be eliminated from the World Grand Prix after throwing away a 4-1 lead against Zhao Xintong. Xiao Guodong admitted he was "sorry" to beat his idol Ronnie O'Sullivan to reach the quarter-finals. Elsewhere, Barry Hawkins was also eliminated after a 5-3 loss to Zhang Anda. Watch and stream the World Grand Prix live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
O'Sullivan sees funny side after wowing crowd with jump shot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Second seed Mark Selby threw away a 4-1 lead as Zhao Xintong staged a tremendous comeback to reach the last eight of the World Grand Prix.
Selby had raced out of the traps into a 3-0 lead, with breaks of 90,109 and 73. After Zhao got on the board, Selby pounced on a miss on a straightforward black to take the fifth frame and move one away from victory.
There was little the Leicester man could do about the comeback though. as Zhao fought back to parity with breaks of 81, 140 and 112 to force a deciding frame.
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Back-to-back tons from Zhao force decider against Selby
Video credit: TNT Sports
Just as Zhao looked to be running away with the decider, he misjudged a cut-back on the black on 49, handing Selby one last reprieve.
However, he could not take it, missing a red and leaving an absolute sitter, allowing Zhao to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Alongside Zhou Yuelong's 5-1 win over Jak Jones, Wu Yize edged past Chang Bingyu 5-3, while Ali Carter beat Yuan Sijun 5-2.
Xiao 'sorry' to eliminate idol O'Sullivan
Xiao Guodong was "sorry" to beat his idol Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Grand Prix after he showed inspired form to win 5-3 and reach the quarter-final.
Xiao raced to a 2-0 lead, including a tournament-best break of 144 in the opening frame, but O’Sullivan fought back to draw level at the interval.
However, after a tense back-and-forth where both players took a frame each, Xiao made breaks of 58 and 66 to secure a quarter-final spot.
O’Sullivan’s wait for a 42nd ranking title continues, having last won one at this tournament in 2024.
"It's hard to say something. I'm happy I win the round and also, he is my idol," Xiao told the World Snooker Tour. "I want him going to the final, win the championship, and I want him doing well.
"But it's sport. When I play anyone, I don't want to lose. I feel sorry for Ronnie but we are still very good friends."
O’Sullivan outclassed by sublime Xiao
Xiao has been one of the surprise packages in Hong Kong, having now eliminated O’Sullivan and Kyren Wilson in back-to-back matches.
O'Sullivan, meanwhile, will feel this is a missed opportunity after Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and Shaun Murphy all crashed out on Wednesday.
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Xiao makes stunning 144 break to kick off O'Sullivan clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Xiao set the tone from the get-go as he racked up a brilliant 144 break after a misjudged safety from O’Sullivan. The "Rocket" had more of a look-in during the second frame, but Xiao’s accuracy on a tricky cut set him on his way towards another big break as he cleared the table once more.
Xiao finally faltered when he missed a straight yellow, allowing O’Sullivan to get on the board, who finished the frame with a jump shot which resulted in potting the green in the opposite pocket.
O’Sullivan took the fourth frame and then looked in control to take the lead for the first time, but fouled in the midst of a dominant break and missed the green with just the colours remaining to squander another chance.
Despite dominating the sixth frame, Xiao flexed his muscles once more, to secure his first ranking tournament win over O'Sullivan.
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Xiao will now face Si Jiahui, who beat Pang Junxu 5-3, as he looks to win his third major and first outside of Wuhan.
For O’Sullivan, the disappointing 2025/26 season continues. He hasn't reached the third round of a ranking event since his run to the Xi'an Grand Prix quarter-finals in October.
Zhang finds quality to down Hawkins
Former winner Barry Hawkins’ campaign also came to an end as he was defeated 5-3 by Zhang Anda.
Despite losing the opening frame, Zhang took three on the spin to seize control, before Hawkins fought back to level.
However, Zhang saved his best until last, bagging breaks of 82 and 97 to edge out the 2017 champion, who didn’t manage a single point in the final two frames.
With Hawkins and O’Sullivan sent packing, only two British players remain in the tournament in Hong Kong.
Zhang will face Wu Yize for a spot in the semi-finals. in what is looking like an increasingly open top half of the draw.
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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