Zhang Anda edges Zhao Xintong in thrilling decider to advance at WST China Open

The first round of the WST China Open in Taiyuan delivered an exhilarating all-Chinese showdown, as Zhang Anda staged a remarkable comeback to narrowly defeat Zhao Xintong 6-5 and clinch his place in the last 16.

In a tightly contested opening frame, Zhang held a slender 54–50 lead, but a miss on the brown left the door ajar for Zhao. Displaying calmness under pressure, Zhao potted a long brown and went on to win the frame 69–54 and setting the tone for the match.

Zhao quickly established dominance, rattling off three consecutive half-centuries to surge to a 3–0 lead. However, after the interval, Zhang began to find his rhythm. In the eighth frame, Zhao looked poised to inch closer to victory but erred on the pink. Zhang seized the opportunity, potting the black to level the match at 4-4.

Demonstrating his scoring prowess, Zhang unleashed a spectacular 134 clearance in the ninth frame, nudging himself to the brink of victory. Yet, the 2025 world champion Zhao dug deep, forcing a deciding frame with a commanding 81–12 win in the next round.

In the tense final frame, with Zhao ahead 64–57 the pressure mounted as the black ball was the last remaining obstacle. 

Zhang first leveled the score by potting the black, leading to a respot to determine the match's outcome. In a moment of brilliance, the 34-year-old executed a precise cut along the cushion, sealing a 6-5 victory and booking his spot against Chris Wakelin in the second round.