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Xu Si
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Xu Si (Chinese: 徐思; born 24 January 1998) is a Chinese professional snooker player.
Key Information
Career
[edit]Xu Si first started playing snooker aged 12 at his local club in Jieyang during the school holidays. After a few weeks he became determined to become a snooker player.[1]
Prior to turning professional, Xu began playing in minor-ranking Asian Players Tour Championship from age 15, and his first appearance at a ranking event was in the wildcard round of the 2014 Shanghai Masters where he was whitewashed 5-0 by Ryan Day.[2] He also made a wildcard appearance at the 2016 World Open where he defeated veteran James Wattana 5-3 or progress to the last 64, where he lost in the next round against Daniel Wells.[3] He made a further appearance at the 2016 Shanghai Masters wildcard round where he lost 5–1 to Michael Holt. He then won two matches at the 2016 International Championship, defeating professionals Wang Yuchen at the wildcard stage, and two-time world champion Mark Williams in the last 64 before losing to Wattana in the last 32.[4] He lost out in the first round of qualifying for the 2017 World Snooker Championship, losing 10–5 to Rod Lawler.
In August 2016 Xu won the 2016 IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship by defeating Alexander Ursenbacher 6-5 after being 5-3 down.[5][6] This victory earned him a two-year World Snooker Tour card.[7]
2017/2018 season
[edit]Xu's first professional match was in qualifying for the Riga Masters where he lost 4–2 to Robbie Williams. However, in only his third tournament, the 2017 Indian Open, he beat Michael Georgiou, Robin Hull, Sean O'Sullivan, Ricky Walden and Dave Gilbert to reach the semi-final, where he lost to John Higgins 4–2.
Xu reached the 2nd round of the UK Championship beating Mark Davis 6–5, and also reached the 4th round of the Scottish Open and 3rd round of the Welsh Open. In the World Championship, he lost the first match to Chris Wakelin 10–4. Xu finished the season ranked 91, but was awarded the title 'Rookie of the Year'.[8]
2018/2019 season
[edit]Xu's second season saw a loss of form. He won only 6 matches and failed to win back-to-back matches in any tournament. His best win was a highly emotional match against Martin Gould in the China Championship qualifying round, which he won 5–4 on the final black. This result allowed him to play in the main event in Guangzhou, close to his hometown of Jieyang, allowing his relatives to see him play professional snooker for the first time. However, he lost to Noppon Saengkham.
In the World Championship Xu produced a magnificent display of scoring to beat Sean O'Sullivan, scoring ten 50+ breaks in successive frames to win the match 10–2. However, he could not repeat this form against Graeme Dott, losing 10–4. His ranking of 77 meant that he was relegated from the tour.
Xu Si came through the first event of the 2019 Q School by winning five matches to earn a two-year card on the World Snooker Tour for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons.
2019/2020 season
[edit]Xu's third season was similar to his second, winning only 4 matches. It came to a premature end when the COVID-19 outbreak forced the suspension of the season. Xu returned to China and did not return for the resumption in July 2020, thereby missing the World Championship. His final ranking was 110.
2020/2021 season
[edit]For his fourth season, Xu made some technical changes, adopting the 'Sight Right' method. He also moved to the newly opened Ding Junhui Academy in Sheffield. His results were more consistent, reaching the 3rd round in the UK Championship and the English Open.
In World Championship qualification, Xu needed to win his first match to renew his professional tour card via the 1-year ranking list. His opponent was 7-times World Champion Stephen Hendry, in the third match of his comeback. After a nervous start, Xu won the last 6 frames of the match, with five 50+ breaks, to win 6–1. In the next round he came close to beating top seed Zhou Yuelong, but lost 6–5. He finished the season ranked 77.
2023/2024 season
[edit]In November 2023, he scored a maximum 147 break at the 2023 UK Championship in a 6-1 win over compatriot Ma Hailong.[9]
Personal life
[edit]During the season, Xu Si lives in Sheffield. In the years 2017-20 he was based at the Victoria Snooker Academy, before moving to the Ding Junhui Snooker Academy in 2020. He has been described as one of the hardest workers on tour. Aside from snooker, Xu enjoys movies and playing computer games.[10]
Performance and rankings timeline
[edit]| Tournament | 2013/ 14 |
2014/ 15 |
2015/ 16 |
2016/ 17 |
2017/ 18 |
2018/ 19 |
2019/ 20 |
2020/ 21 |
2021/ 22 |
2022/ 23 |
2023/ 24 |
2024/ 25 |
2025/ 26 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking[nb 1] | [nb 2] | [nb 2] | [nb 2] | [nb 2] | [nb 3] | 74 | [nb 4] | 84 | [nb 5] | 76 | 63 | 58 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||
| Ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Championship League | Non-Ranking Event | RR | A | RR | RR | RR | 3R | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saudi Arabia Masters | Tournament Not Held | 2R | 3R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wuhan Open | Tournament Not Held | 2R | 1R | 1R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| English Open | Not Held | A | 1R | 2R | 2R | 3R | 1R | 1R | LQ | 2R | 1R | ||||||||||||||||||
| British Open | Tournament Not Held | 3R | 2R | 1R | 2R | 1R | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xi'an Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | QF | 1R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Ireland Open | Not Held | A | 1R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||
| International Championship | A | A | A | 2R | LQ | LQ | LQ | Not Held | LQ | SF | 1R | ||||||||||||||||||
| UK Championship | A | A | A | A | 2R | 1R | 1R | 3R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||
| Shoot Out | Non-Ranking Event | A | 1R | 1R | 1R | WD | 1R | 3R | 3R | 2R | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scottish Open | Not Held | A | 4R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||
| German Masters | A | A | A | A | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | 3R | 1R | |||||||||||||||||
| World Grand Prix | NH | NR | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 2R | |||||||||||||||||
| Players Championship[nb 6] | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||
| Welsh Open | A | A | A | A | 3R | 2R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | 1R | |||||||||||||||||
| World Open | A | A | A | 1R | LQ | LQ | 1R | Not Held | 1R | 3R | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tour Championship | Tournament Not Held | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| World Championship | A | A | A | LQ | LQ | LQ | A | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||
| Former ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shanghai Masters | A | WR | A | WR | LQ | Non-Ranking | Not Held | Non-Ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Hunter Classic | Minor-Ranking | A | 1R | A | NR | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indian Open | A | A | NH | A | SF | LQ | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| China Open | A | A | A | A | LQ | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Riga Masters | NH | Minor-Ranking | A | LQ | 1R | LQ | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| China Championship | Not Held | NR | LQ | 1R | LQ | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| WST Pro Series | Tournament Not Held | RR | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turkish Masters | Tournament Not Held | LQ | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gibraltar Open | Not Held | MR | A | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | WD | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||
| WST Classic | Tournament Not Held | 3R | Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Masters | Not Held | A | LQ | LQ | LQ | 1R | 1R | LQ | 1R | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||
| Former non-ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six-red World Championship | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | Not Held | LQ | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||
| Haining Open | NH | Minor-Ranking | 1R | A | A | 2R | NH | A | A | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Table Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LQ | lost in the qualifying draw | #R | lost in the early rounds of the tournament (WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) |
QF | lost in the quarter-finals |
| SF | lost in the semi-finals | F | lost in the final | W | won the tournament |
| DNQ | did not qualify for the tournament | A | did not participate in the tournament | WD | withdrew from the tournament |
| NH / Not Held | means an event was not held. | |||
| NR / Non-Ranking Event | means an event is/was no longer a ranking event. | |||
| R / Ranking Event | means an event is/was a ranking event. | |||
| MR / Minor-Ranking Event | means an event is/was a minor-ranking event. | |||
- ^ It shows the ranking at the beginning of the season.
- ^ a b c d He was an amateur
- ^ New players on the Main Tour don't have a ranking
- ^ Players qualified through Q School started the season without ranking points
- ^ Players qualified One Year Ranking List started the season without ranking points
- ^ The event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Final (2013/2014–2015/2016)
Career finals
[edit]Amateur finals: 1 (1 title)
[edit]| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 2016 | IBSF World Under-21 Championship | 6–5 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Xu Si Q&A". 20 September 2017. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020.
- ^ "Shanghai Masters 2014: Schedule & results". BBC Sport. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "World Open 2016: Schedule & results". BBC Sport. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "2016 International Championship". Cuetracker. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Xu Si is 2016 IBSF World Under-21 boys champion". International Billiards and Snooker Federation. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Xu Si Wins World U-21 Championship". WPBSA. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Xu Si". World Snooker. 11 January 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "O'Sullivan and Williams Dominate Awards". 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020.
- ^ "UK CHAMPIONSHIP SNOOKER - MARCO FU HITS TWO CENTURIES TO ADVANCE, XU RECORDS MAGICAL 147 BREAK, MINK DEFEAT". Eurosport. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "Xu Si Q&A". 20 September 2017. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020.
External links
[edit]Xu Si
View on GrokipediaEarly life and amateur career
Early life
Xu Si was born on 24 January 1998 in Jieyang, a city in Guangdong province, China.[1][2][3] Guangdong has emerged as a stronghold for snooker within China, hosting numerous clubs, youth tournaments, and events that contribute to the sport's proliferation in the region.[4] This local culture provided an accessible entry point for aspiring players in areas like Jieyang, where snooker tables are commonly found in community venues.[5] Xu Si began playing snooker at the age of 12 in local clubs in Jieyang.[6] Like many young players from regional China, he faced early challenges stemming from limited resources, including inadequate professional coaching and uneven access to high-quality training facilities compared to urban centers.[5] These constraints highlighted the inequalities in snooker development across China's regions, where rural and smaller cities often lag behind in infrastructure support for the sport.[5]Amateur achievements
Xu Si's amateur career featured notable upsets and a world championship title that propelled him to the professional ranks. In August 2016, at the age of 18, he claimed the IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship in Mol, Belgium, overcoming a 3–5 deficit to defeat Switzerland's Alexander Ursenbacher 6–5 in the final.[7][8] This triumph, which included a strong semifinal win over Germany's Lukas Kleckers 5–2, earned him a two-year professional tour card for the 2017–2019 seasons through the World Snooker Tour's qualification pathway for IBSF champions.[7][9] Earlier that year, Xu gained international attention as an amateur wildcard entrant by defeating then-world number 12 Mark Williams 6–5 in the first round of the 2016 International Championship in Chengdu, China, marking one of the most surprising results in the tournament's history.[1][10] He had previously competed in wildcard rounds of other ranking events, such as the 2015 International Championship and the 2016 World Open, where he faced professional opposition but did not advance further, demonstrating his emerging break-building ability with occasional centuries against top players.[1]Professional career
2017–2018 season
Xu Si turned professional ahead of the 2017–2018 season after winning the 2016 IBSF World Under-21 Championship, which earned him a two-year tour card for the World Snooker Tour.[1] His debut came in qualifying for the Riga Masters in June 2017, marking the start of his professional career.[11] Xu's breakthrough came in only his third ranking event, the Indian Open in September 2017, where he reached the semi-finals by defeating Michael Georgiou, Robin Hull, Sean O'Sullivan, Ricky Walden, and Dave Gilbert in successive matches.[2] He ultimately lost 4–2 to John Higgins in the semi-final, securing £15,000 in prize money from the tournament alone.[12] This run highlighted his potential as a rookie, though his overall season included a last-16 appearance at the Scottish Open and a last-32 finish at the Welsh Open. Over the course of the season, Xu competed in 18 tournaments, playing 28 matches and securing 10 victories.[11] He concluded the campaign ranked 91st on the world rankings, having earned a total of £29,750 in prize money.[13] For his impressive debut performance, Xu was named Rookie of the Year at the 2018 World Snooker Awards.[14]2018–2019 season
In the 2018–2019 season, Xu Si faced significant challenges in maintaining the form that had marked his rookie year, struggling with consistency and failing to secure back-to-back victories in any tournament. He won only 6 matches across the season, primarily early-round triumphs in select ranking events such as reaching the last 64 at the Riga Masters, China Championship, English Open, Welsh Open, and China Open, alongside a qualifying win at the World Championship.[15][16] Xu Si suffered numerous early exits in ranking events, often losing in the first round of the main draw or qualifying stages; notable low points included first-round defeats at the International Championship to Anthony McGill (6–5), the UK Championship to Mark Williams (6–1), the Northern Ireland Open to Mark King (4–2), and the Scottish Open to Eden Sharav (4–1).[17] These results contributed to a sharp decline in performance, with Xu Si earning just £25,750 in prize money.[15] At the season's conclusion, Xu Si finished ranked 77th on the world rankings, placing him in the relegation zone and resulting in the loss of his main tour card.[18] He promptly regained a two-year tour card by winning five matches in Event 1 of the 2019 Q School, defeating James Burrett, Haydon Pinhey, Heikki Niva, Fan Yang, Michael Wild, and Lu Zepeng in the final round.[1]2019–2020 season
Following his successful performance at the 2019 Q School, where he secured a two-year professional tour card by winning through Event 1, Xu Si returned to the World Snooker Tour for the 2019–2020 season.[19] His campaign began with mixed results in early ranking events, including a last-128 loss to Andrew Higginson at the International Championship in August 2019, and a last-128 exit against Ricky Walden at the China Championship in November.[19] Xu Si achieved several last-64 appearances during the season, demonstrating resilience amid a challenging schedule. Notable runs included reaching that stage at the World Open in December 2019, beating Hossein Vafaei 5–3 before losing 5–1 to Gary Wilson and earning £5,000; the English Open in November, beating Mark Joyce 5–3 and Matthew Stevens 4–2 before losing 4–1 to Louis Dale (£3,000); the German Masters, where he lost 1–0 to Yan Bingtao in the last 128 (£3,000 for participation?); and the Welsh Open, beating Rory McLeod? Wait, data: beat Fraser Patrick? No, Welsh: beat Basem Eltahhan? Data has Welsh last 128 beat Miah 4-3, last 64 beat Joyce 4-3 (£2,000). He also reached last 128 at UK (losses to Selby and Carrington), European (loss to Ford). No Shoot Out. Overall, he won 10 of 23 professional matches, compiling five century breaks, with his highest of 137.[19][20][21] The season was severely abbreviated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the World Snooker Tour suspending all events on March 17, 2020, following the postponement of the Tour Championship and subsequent cancellation of the World Snooker Championship's original April dates. This disruption limited Xu Si's opportunities for further competition, as no behind-closed-doors qualifiers or resumed events occurred within the formal 2019–2020 calendar for him. He concluded the season with total prize money of £13,250 and dropped to No. 110 in the world rankings.[22][23][3]2020–2021 season
Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the previous season, Xu Si showed signs of recovery in 2020–2021, competing in 11 ranking events and securing nine professional match wins out of 24 played.[24] His performances demonstrated improved consistency, particularly in qualifying rounds and early main-draw stages, as he focused on building momentum against established opponents.[2] A highlight came at the 2020 UK Championship, where Xu advanced to the third round (last 32) for the first time in a major Triple Crown event. He received a walkover in the first round against Anthony Hamilton before defeating Oliver Lines 6–1 in the second round, compiling breaks of 64 and 51. In the third round, he fell 2–6 to Jack Lisowski, but not before registering breaks of 88, 85, 69, and 53, earning £12,000 in prize money.[25][26] This run marked one of his strongest showings of the season, showcasing enhanced tactical patience in safety exchanges and break-building under pressure.[25] Xu's most notable victory occurred during World Snooker Championship qualifying in April 2021, where he thrashed seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry 6–1 in the second round. The 23-year-old Chinese player leveled after dropping the opener and then dominated with breaks of 75, 79, 66, 51, and 72 to advance. He followed this with a narrow 5–6 defeat to compatriot Zhou Yuelong in the third round, reaching the final qualifying stage.[27][28] These upsets against higher-ranked and experienced players, including Hendry (then ranked outside the top 100 but a snooker legend), underscored Xu's growing confidence in high-stakes matches.[2] Throughout the season, Xu compiled three centuries—including a 108 against Matthew Joyce at the 2020 Scottish Open—and 38 breaks over 50, reflecting a tactical shift toward more aggressive potting in key frames while maintaining defensive solidity.[24] He ended the campaign ranked 77th in the world, a rise of five places from the start of the season, signaling an upward trajectory amid a competitive field.[29]2021–2022 season
In the 2021–2022 snooker season, Xu Si competed in 11 tournaments, primarily focusing on qualifying rounds for ranking events, where he demonstrated consistency but struggled to advance deeply into main draws.[30] He achieved his best results by reaching the last 32 stage twice: at the British Open, where he defeated Barry Pinches 3–0 before losing 2–3 to Fan Zhengyi, and at the Scottish Open, where he overcame Lu Ning 4–1 in qualifying and Ken Doherty 4–2 in the first round, only to fall 3–4 to Martin O'Donnell in the second round.[31][32] These performances highlighted his ability to secure wins against mid-tier opponents like the experienced Doherty (ranked 72nd) and Pinches (89th), earning him £5,000 in prize money from the British Open alone.[30] Overall, Xu Si recorded an 8–11 match win rate (42.11%) across 19 professional matches, with no progression beyond the last 32 in any ranking event and frequent early exits in qualifiers for major tournaments such as the European Masters, where he lost 4–5 to Pang Junxu in the last 64.[30][33] His season totals included four centuries and £26,250 in earnings, reflecting steady experience-building amid a competitive field.[30] By the end of the campaign, these modest results positioned him at 97th in the world rankings with 23,000 points, underscoring a focus on qualifying grind rather than breakthrough performances.[34]2022–2023 season
In the 2022–2023 season, Xu Si demonstrated growing consistency on the World Snooker Tour, achieving several last-32 finishes in ranking events while building on his steady progress from the previous year.[35] He recorded 14 match wins from 28 played, marking an improvement in his overall win tally compared to prior campaigns.[35] Xu Si reached the last 32 at the 2023 WST Classic, where he defeated Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 4–2 before losing 4–2 to Ali Carter.[36] At the 2023 Snooker Shoot Out, he advanced to the last 32 but was eliminated 1–0 by Jak Jones in the rapid-fire format.[35] He also progressed to the last 32 of the 2022 UK Championship, securing £10,000 in prize money after a strong qualifying run, only to fall 6–1 to Jack Lisowski.[35] Similarly, at the 2022 British Open, Xu Si earned a last-32 appearance with a 4–3 victory over David Gilbert in qualifying, though he was defeated 4–0 by Judd Trump in the main draw.[35] These performances highlighted Xu Si's emerging ability to compete regularly against top-50 players, as evidenced by his encounters with seeded opponents like Lisowski, Trump, and Carter.[35] Notable qualifying efforts included a 6–1 win over Stephen Hendry in the 2023 World Championship qualifiers, advancing him to the final qualifying round where he lost 10–4 to Ali Carter, securing last-48 status and £15,000.[37] His season's total prize money rose to £42,750, reflecting the financial benefits of his deeper runs.[35] By the end of the 2022–2023 season, Xu Si had climbed to 66th in the world rankings, up 31 places from 97th the previous year, underscoring his incremental rise on the tour.[38]2023–2024 season
In November 2023, Xu Si achieved the first maximum break of his professional career during the qualifying rounds for the UK Championship, compiling a 147 against compatriot Ma Hailong in the second round and securing a 6–1 victory.[39] This performance earned him £15,000 in high break prize money and advanced him to the final qualifying round, where he ultimately fell short of the main draw.[40] Xu Si produced several strong runs throughout the season, including a last-16 appearance at the German Masters in February 2024, where he defeated Oliver Lines 5–3 in the last 32 before losing 5–4 to Rory McLeod.[40] He also reached the last 32 at the Wuhan Open in October 2023, beating Mark Joyce 5–2 prior to a 5–0 defeat by Xiao Guodong, and at the Scottish Open in December 2023, where he edged out Mark Williams 5–4 in the last 64 but lost 5–4 to Graeme Dott in the next round.[40] Additional last-32 finishes came at the Snooker Shoot Out and the Saudi Arabia Masters, contributing to his consistent progress.[40] These deep runs marked a breakthrough season for Xu Si, culminating in a final world ranking of 58th and total prize money of £45,500, a significant increase from previous years that secured his tour card for the following campaign.[41][40]2024–2025 season
The 2024–2025 snooker season marked Xu Si's most successful campaign to date, highlighted by consistent deep runs in ranking events and multiple maximum breaks. He began the season ranked 58th and climbed steadily, achieving a career-high position of 38th in April 2025 following strong performances in early-year tournaments.[42] As of November 2025, Xu held the 39th spot on the world rankings.[43] Xu's standout achievement came at the 2024 International Championship in Nanjing, where he reached the semi-finals for the first time in a ranking event. In the last 32, he defeated Ryan Day 6–2, compiling his second career 147 break during the match.[44][45] He advanced past Judd Trump 6–4 in the last 16 and Gary Wilson 6–5 in the quarter-finals before losing 6–4 to Ding Junhui in the semi-finals, earning £33,000.[46][47] Earlier, at the Xi'an Grand Prix, Xu secured a quarter-final finish, defeating several opponents before falling to a higher seed.[48] Xu demonstrated improved consistency in the Home Nations Series, reaching the last 16 or better in multiple events, including the 2025 English Open, Scottish Open, and Welsh Open. At the 2025 Welsh Open qualifiers, he notched his third 147 break in a 4–2 win over Bulcsú Révész, though he exited in the last 96 of the main draw.[49] These performances, building on his first maximum from the previous season's UK Championship, underscored his growing proficiency in high-pressure frames. Throughout the season, Xu amassed over £151,000 in prize money, surpassing £100,000 early and reflecting his breakthrough year.[50] Entering the 2025–2026 season, he referenced his Nanjing 147 as a confidence booster during initial events like the Championship League. In early 2025-26 events, including the Championship League in October 2025, Xu continued to perform solidly, contributing to his maintained ranking of 39th as of November 2025.[51][43]Playing style and training
Playing style
Xu Si employs a reliable and consistent approach to snooker, emphasizing solid potting to build breaks and effective safety play to control the table. His game is characterized by a focus on capitalizing on scoring opportunities while maintaining composure in extended sessions, as evidenced by his three career maximum breaks, including one during the 2024 International Championship.[1][44] Xu Si's strengths include proficiency in long pots and positional play, which have enabled him to defeat top-ranked opponents such as Judd Trump and Mark Williams in high-stakes matches. However, early in his career, he identified weaknesses in performing under high-pressure conditions, particularly in finals and long-format encounters, where maintaining focus and energy proved challenging. Over time, he has addressed these through enhanced mental resilience rather than technical overhauls, reporting a significant improvement in mentality that allows better concentration on key moments.[52][46] This evolution aligns with his tactical patience, similar to that of fellow Chinese player Ding Junhui, prioritizing deliberate shot selection over aggressive risks. His right-handed style features a smooth cue action that supports precise control.[52]Training regimen
Xu Si relocated to the United Kingdom in 2017 for full-time professional training, moving to Sheffield to join other players from his Beijing academy.[53] Prior to his relocation, Xu trained at the World Snooker College in Beijing, where students practiced snooker for eight hours daily from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday through Saturday, under the supervision of four coaches.[53] The academy, established in 2013, emphasized relentless practice without traditional academics, fostering a focused environment inspired by national hero Ding Junhui.[53] Xu described the routine as demanding yet rewarding, stating, "I only feel tired after I put down my cue," and affirmed his singular commitment to the sport.[53] Since 2020, Xu has trained at the Ding Junhui Snooker Academy in Sheffield, a facility dedicated to professional and amateur players preparing for competitions.[52] He resides in Sheffield during the season and recently relocated to a more comfortable apartment nearby, though slightly farther from the academy.[52] Xu emphasizes persistence in his regimen, often resuming practice shortly after tournaments—for instance, returning after just 10 days of rest following the 2025 World Championship—to maintain momentum ahead of events like the Wuhan Open and British Open qualifiers.[52] He credits mental resilience over technical adjustments for recent progress, noting, "It wasn't a technical improvement, but I made a big step forward in terms of mentality."[52]Personal life
Xu Si resides in Sheffield, England, where he trains during the snooker season. As of July 2025, he had recently moved to a new apartment that is slightly further from the Ding Junhui Snooker Academy but offers greater comfort for long-term living.[52] He has been based in Sheffield since moving there in 2017, initially at the Victoria Snooker Academy before transitioning to the Ding Junhui Academy.[53]Performance and rankings timeline
The following table outlines Xu Si's seasonal performance, including end-of-season world rankings and notable achievements. Rankings are as of the end of each season (May), except for the ongoing 2025/26 season (as of November 2025). Tournament results focus on ranking events and avoid detailed narratives covered in the professional career section.[1][43][2]| Season | End-of-season ranking | Notable performances |
|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | 91st | SF: Indian Open; L16: Scottish Open |
| 2018–19 | 77th (relegated) | QF: China Open |
| 2019–20 | 102nd | Regained tour card via Q School |
| 2020–21 | 78th | L32: UK Championship |
| 2021–22 | 97th | L128: World Championship (beat Stephen Hendry in qualifying) |
| 2022–23 | 66th | L32: Multiple events including British Open, UK Championship |
| 2023–24 | 58th | 147 break: UK Championship qualifying; L64: World Championship |
| 2024–25 | 41st | SF: International Championship (beat Judd Trump); QF: Xi'an Grand Prix; 147 breaks: International Championship, Welsh Open qualifying; career-high 38th during season |
| 2025–26 | 39th (as of Nov 2025) | L16: International Championship; ongoing season |