Xiao Guodong grabs an easy win over Dominic Dale in first round of 2011-12 PTC Grand Finals
Spectators present at the Bailey Allen Hall arena in Galway, Ireland witnessed some superb snooker shots from the promising young Chinese potter, Xiao Guodong. The Chinese youngster beat the Welshman, Dominic Dale by an easy score line of 4-2 in the opening
round clash of 2011-12 Players Tour Championship (PTC) Grand Finals.
Dale’s defeat at the hands of a young Chinese potter is an upset as the Welshman is comparatively more experienced than the 23-year-old Guodong. The Chinese pocketed some impressive snooker breaks to unsettle his opponent and hit the winning spot. Despite
being the favourite in the match, Dale was not able to improvise according to the situation and slipped two frames down in the end.
The World Number 51 stormed into a 3-1 lead after firing some scintillating clearances of 71, 54 and 80. The Welshman fought back in the fifth frame firing a stunning knock of 72 to move with one frame up at 3-2. The sixth frame proved to be the final battle
between both potters as the Chinese hit a sensational compilation of 89 points to win the match by 4-2 score line.
While speaking to World Snooker after his match, Xiao Guodong said, “It was very painful and I went to hospital. The doctor put a cast on it and said I couldn't play snooker for three months. But it was very important for me to play in this tournament. I
just tried to forget the pain today and play like I do in practice.”
He added, “I thought the session started at 1pm today but it turned out it was 10am. I was just going to a restaurant to have lunch when I got a call to say I had to come quickly to the venue. I got there with just a few minutes to spare.”
The youngster will next meet the 2011 UK Championship winner, England’s Judd Trump in the Last-16 round. Guodong commented about his next opponent that nobody wants to play him at the moment because he is very good and confident. He further added that he
will just enjoy his next match against Trump.
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