Wu Yize Holds Lead as Selby Fights Back at the Crucible
wu yize remained in the spotlight on Tuesday night at the World Snooker Championship 2026, with Mark Selby trailing 4-3 in their round-two match at the Crucible in Sheffield. The session also saw Zhao Xintong complete a 13-9 win over Ding Junhui to reach the last eight, adding to a tense day for the Chinese contingent. The pressure stayed high as Selby and Wu yize went into the final frame of the session with the match still in the balance.
Wu Yize and Selby trade blows in a tight session
Selby had been 40-odd points behind in the final frame of the session before a safety error from Wu Yize gave him a major chance to swing the frame back his way. Even then, the table was not straightforward, with a couple of the remaining reds tight to the cushions and plenty still to be done.
Earlier in the session, Selby had levelled the match at 3-3 with an 81 break, only for Wu Yize to respond with a 72 and move back ahead. That made the contest feel finely poised rather than settled, with both players showing enough scoring power to keep the frame count moving quickly.
Zhao Xintong advances as pressure builds on Chinese players
Zhao Xintong’s win over Ding Junhui booked him a place in the last eight, and his post-match remarks underlined how intense the occasion felt. He said it was a special match because “everyone has eyes on us playing, ” and added that the last session carried more pressure than the earlier stages. Zhao also said Ding gave him easy chances, while he tried to calm down because “the pressure is very very big. ”
That sense of weight around the Chinese players is part of the wider picture at this championship. Zhao said snooker is very popular in China and that the fans bring support but also more pressure, especially in a setting as exposed as the Crucible.
Selby’s numbers show why Wu Yize cannot relax
commentator Steven Hallworth said Selby’s pot success in the session was at 95 percent and suggested he could still go 5-3 down in the match. That statistic reflects how little room there has been for error, even in a contest where both players have produced high-quality snooker.
With the session still alive and the scoring patterns swinging quickly, Wu yize has every reason to stay alert. A single safety mistake has already changed the frame, and the final stretch now looks set to decide whether Selby can force the momentum back or whether wu yize can carry his advantage deeper into the match.
What happens next for Wu Yize
The immediate focus now is the remaining frame of the session, with Selby and Wu yize still locked in a contest that has not allowed either player much comfort. If the pattern of quick reversals continues, the next session could be just as tense as the last. For now, wu yize remains firmly in the frame as the Crucible action develops.
