Xiao wins Wuhan Open to end 17-year title wait

Xiao Guodong became a professional in 2007 after winning the Asian Under-21 Championship

China's Xiao Guodong beat compatriot Si Jiahui 10-7 in the Wuhan Open final to earn his maiden ranking title after 17 years as a professional.

In his third ranking final - 11 years after losing the first of those to Chinese snooker doyen Ding Junhui in Shanghai - Xiao withstood a fightback to prevail in a high-quality match.

Xiao made an impressive start and moved into a 5-3 lead following a 129 break in the opening session of only the third tour final between two players from mainland China.

Si showed resolve with a century break in the eighth frame to pull one back but Xiao later made a run of 113 to extend his lead to 8-4 before winning the next frame of the evening session to move one away from victory.

He would have to wait for his crowning moment as Si produced a stirring surge, which included a break of 131, to reduce the deficit to 9-7.

The 22-year-old Si, who made the first 147 break of his career in a semi-final win over world number one Judd Trump, was playing elegantly as he chased down the lead.

He had the first opportunity of the 17th frame but a miss on 46 opened the door for Xiao, who crafted a testing snooker and went on to end Si's challenge.

The 35-year-old Xiao's success secured the top prize of £140,000.

Xiao, who knocked out reigning world champion Kyren Wilson earlier in the tournament, will jump 11 places to 18th in the world rankings with his long-awaited title.