Ronnie O'Sullivan: Xiao Guodong beats 'idol' in 5-3 victory at World Grand Prix in Hong Kong to reach quarter-finals
Xiao Guodong beats 'idol' in 5-3 victory at World Grand Prix; Xiao produced a tournament-best 144 clearance in the match; Ronnie O'Sullivan joins Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump among Brits eliminated early from tournament
Thursday 5 February 2026 13:44, UK
Ronnie O'Sullivan bowed out of the World Grand Prix after losing 5-3 to world No 10 Xiao Guodong in the round of 16.
Guodong produced a tournament-best 144 clearance as he leapt out to a 2-0 lead, but O'Sullivan was able to get himself back in the game and level the scores 3-3 at the break.
The Chinese player sealed the win with two 50-plus breaks in the last two frames, consigning O'Sullivan to the same fate as fellow Brits Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy.
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"Ronnie is my idol, I want him to do well and win tournaments," Guodong said after the match. "But this is sport and whenever I play, I want to win.
"I was nervous in the last two frames but I tried to be like Ronnie and be more relaxed."
In the other matches, Chris Wakelin produced a fine comeback to rally from 4-2 down to beat Elliot Slessor 5-4, while Zhang Anda and Si Jiahui also progressed.
UK champion Mark Selby will face Guodong for a place in quarter-finals.
