GIANT KILLER Xiao Guodong reckons gorging on Chinese takeaways has been the secret to his success in Bolton this week.
The player known as X-Factor was seen tucking into a tasty meal 15 minutes before his Champion of Champions semi-final with Mark Allen, which he won 6-3 on Friday evening.
It is unusual to see a top star tucking into food so close to their competition as they are normally on the practice table.
The entertaining potter has had an incredible week at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
He knocked out seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round – he won 4-3 despite being 3-0 down – and then eliminated Mark Selby 6-5 in the quarter-finals.
Tomorrow, he will play either Mark Williams or Neil Robertson over the best of 19 frames and the winner will earn £150,000.
Xiao said: “We have to eat food. In the UK, sometimes we have to buy Chinese takeaway from restaurants.
“My friend got some food. He came here. That’s why before the match I ate a little bit. But anyway, it doesn’t matter before a match if you eat a lot.
“I cannot believe I beat these three players. They are all legends. I have learned a lot from them. I know that one ball can change everything.
“When I played Ronnie and was 3-0 down, I was already back home. Ronnie gave me one chance and I took it.”
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Xiao, 35, turned professional in 2007 but had to wait 17 years before winning his first ranking tournament – he lifted the Wuhan Open in China last month.
Asked what it would feel like to win silverware on UK soil for the first time, Xiao replied: “This would mean everything for me.
“I came here nearly 20 years ago. Every day, every second, every time, I dreamed of winning one ranking title.
“I did it in Wuhan. After that, if I win more, it will be a bonus.
“Now, I play more relaxed. I have already won one. So, this would be a bonus.”
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
