Aaron Hill (file pic). James Crombie/INPHO

Aaron Hill falls just short against home favourite at Wuhan Open

The Cork man was pipped 5-4 by China’s Zhang Anda in the round of 16.

AARON HILL SUFFERED a galling defeat to home favourite Zhang Anda in the last 16 of the Wuhan Open in China earlier today.

Cork man Hill, who stunned world no. 2 Kyren Wilson on Monday, lost the deciding frame to Zhang having stormed back into the contest from 3-1 down.

Hill’s superb 137 break to start was met with interest by the Chinese player, with Zhang establishing a 3-1 lead at the break.

The 23-year-old Irishman then reeled off three frames on the spin, including a 63 break, to move within one frame of victory.

But Zhang composed himself to win the final two frames for a 5-4 victory which sent him into a quarter-final with Mark Williams, who came from 3-0 down to defeat Mark Selby 5-3.

Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen is through to the last eight after a 5-1 victory over Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the afternoon session.

Antrim native Allen will face China’s Si Jiahui, who bested Scotland’s Stephen Maguire 5-2.

Gary Wilson, meanwhile, took out world number one Judd Trump in another final-frame decider. Trump, who won the competition in 2023, reeled off three 50-plus breaks and never trailed until the decisive frame of a thrilling contest.

In the quarter-finals, Wilson will face John Higgins who eased past Tom Ford 5-1.

Stan Moody, 18, is also through to the quarters after whitewashing Barry Hawkins in their round-of-16 meeting. The English youngster needed less than an hour to dispose of Hawkins and reach a maiden quarter-final.

Moody will meet 2024 Wuhan champion and another home favourite, Xiao Guodong, who defeated Matthew Selt 5-2 and is one of three Chinese players to have made this year’s quarters.

Author
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel