In a stunning upset at the World Snooker Tour (WST) International Championship held on November 6, 2024, in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Chinese player Xu Si outplayed world No. 1 Judd Trump of England, securing a hard-fought victory with a score of 6-4, thereby marking a significant milestone in his tournament journey.
Xu Si demonstrated impressive skill early in the match, establishing a commanding 2-0 lead with two remarkable breaks of 76 points each. However, Judd Trump, known for his remarkable prowess on the table, swiftly reclaimed the advantage by winning three consecutive frames. The intense competition continued as they traded wins in the following frames, but Xu turned the tide decisively, not allowing Trump—who boasts an impressive 29 ranking event victories—to score any points in the final three frames. Xu concluded the match with a series of phenomenal runs of 104, 69, 58, and 68 points.
Reflecting on his extraordinary performance, Xu stated, “It was my mindset during the key moments that helped.” He confessed to feeling a bit tense at the start of the last frame, but his concentration paid off, as he avoided leaving Trump with any easy shots. “Finishing the match felt really good. Sometimes you reach a point where you’re very nervous, and then suddenly you’re not nervous anymore,” he elaborated.
Xu expressed increased confidence in his abilities, noting, “I feel there’s a much smaller gap now between myself and the top players. Recently, many Chinese players have been advancing to the latter stages of tournaments, which shows a significant improvement overall.” His victory brings a new wave of optimism for the rising talent in Chinese snooker.
In a notable turn of events, Trump’s impressive streak of making at least the quarterfinals in 15 consecutive tournaments—including four titles and two finalist appearances since January—came to an unexpected halt against Xu, who is currently ranked 48 places lower than Trump, highlighting the unpredictable nature of competitive snooker.
On the same night, fellow Chinese star Ding Junhui advanced to his first ranking event quarterfinals of the season by defeating Jiang Jun with a score of 6-3, executing a spectacular top break of 109. Meanwhile, Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong triumphed over England’s Jack Lisowski with a score of 6-3, securing his place in the elite 16 for the first time in his career and acquiring a seeded position for the upcoming UK Championship later in November.
**Interview with Xu Si: A Historic Victory Over Judd Trump**
**Interviewer:** Congratulations on your outstanding victory, Xu Si! Defeating the world No. 1, Judd Trump, is a huge achievement. How are you feeling after this match?
**Xu Si:** Thank you! I’m overwhelmed with joy and excitement. Beating someone of Judd’s caliber is a dream come true for me. I worked really hard for this moment, and to see it pay off is incredibly rewarding.
**Interviewer:** You started off strong with two impressive breaks of 76 points each. What was going through your mind during those early frames?
**Xu Si:** I felt very focused and confident at the beginning. I knew I had to start well to put pressure on Judd. Making those breaks helped me build momentum, and I could feel the energy in the room shifting. I wanted to seize the opportunity.
**Interviewer:** Judd Trump made a strong comeback and took the lead during the match. How did you manage to regain control and ultimately secure the win?
**Xu Si:** It was definitely a tough moment when he took the lead. I had to remind myself to stay calm and play my game. I focused on not letting the pressure affect me. When I won those crucial frames towards the end, I really focused on every shot and treated each frame like it was the final one.
**Interviewer:** This victory is a significant milestone in your career. What does it mean for you to achieve this at the International Championship?
**Xu Si:** It means everything to me! This victory is not just about the win, but also about proving to myself that I can compete at this level. It’s a big boost for my confidence moving forward in the tournament and my career in general.
**Interviewer:** What’s next for you in the tournament after this impactful match?
**Xu Si:** I’m going to take it one match at a time. Each round gets tougher, but I’m determined to keep pushing myself. I want to enjoy this journey and continue to play my best.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Xu, and once again, congratulations on your victory!
**Xu Si:** Thank you so much! I appreciate your support and I look forward to the next matches.
