Mika Immonen (Photo courtesy of Diana Hoppe)
The US Open semi-final match between Warren Kiamco and Mika Immonen was all any
pool fan could ever want. The first 8 racks went back and forth with
each player winning more from the non-breaking position as the breaks
were coming apart ugly and leaving no shot on the lowest ball. When the
match reached 4-4, Mika Immonen changed the scenario up a bit and won
two racks consecutively to lead 6-4. Kiamco played an unescapable
safety in rack number eleven that gave him ball-in-hand and an easy
trip to 6-5. But in the next rack he erred on another safety attempt
when he failed to contact a rail after hitting the two ball and Mika
ran out to go back up by two racks at 7-5. When Immonen broke and ran
the next rack he grabbed an 8-5 lead and Kiamco was running out of time
and space to maneuver.
By now Mika had found the 'sweet spot' on the break shot
and the balls were setting up well for him. He made the next break and
run appear very easy and he began to walk with energy around the table.
Even when Immonen failed to pocket a ball on his next break the table
treated him kindly and forced Kiamco into a push-out. After a brief
safety exchange Kiamco cashed an opportunity on the one but got no shape
on the two. Another safety war began that Kiamco ended by banking the
two into the corner. Both players then failed at difficult shots and
Kiamco wound up the fortunate one with the first decent shot, a gift
horse he rode home to bring the scoreline to 9-6.
The next rack was a gift to Kiamco from Immonen.
Mika made a jump shot on the one ball that left the ball by the side
pocket and a roadmap runout behind it. Warren lived up to his billing
to climb within two games of Immonen at 9-7. Kiamco then broke and ran
the next rack while Immonen sat and regretted the jump shot that had
now cost him so much vital ground. Kiamco broke dry but another clumsy
effort on the one ball by Immonen brought Kiamco back to the table. When
Kiamco won this rack he had regained all of the territory that had lain
between the two men and we were tied at nine games each. Our race to 11
had become a brutal race to two games to determine who would get the
title shot.
Kiamco appeared to have an easy run after his next
break. But he got straight in on the two ball and when he used draw on
the cue ball to get shape on the three, he would up jawing the easy shot
on the two. He jabbed his cue into the air and stomped his feet on his
way back to his chair. Immonen leapt from his seat and accepted the
easy rack to get to the hill first. Mika made a great break shot next
and the layout was great for him with no clusters, no blocked balls and
nothing on the rails. He ran the rack with ease and earned his return
bout with Alcano in the finals.
