The opening round of single elimination play at this year's Kremlin Cup hardly offered any big guns colliding, as those who qualified from the B side were drawn against undefeated qualifiers. Even with that, the first round of play still held some notable results, as Corey Deuel found himself up against rising Russian player Fedor Gorst. That match didn't last long, with Gorst eliminating Deuel by and 8-2 scoreline. Andrey Seroshtan ran into Thorsten Hohmann for the second year in a row, and for the second year in a row he pushed The Hitman all the way to hill-hill game. Unfortunately for the young Russian, he made a couple of errors which cost him the match again. Evgeny Stalev, trailing multiple European snooker and female champion Daria Sirotina 2-1, decided to withdraw from the tournament due to background noise, for the second year in a row.
The round of 16 was where the greats started to fall. Maksim Dudanets eliminated Mika Immonen, while Ruslan Chinakhov dealt with David Alcaide and Hohmann made quick work of Francisco Sanchez Ruiz allowing him only 3 racks. Ralf Souquet had a narrow escape from Denis Grabe winning by the smallest of margins, 8-7.
After all the dust settled there were last two men standing. The semifinals featured Alexandros Kazakis vs Dmitry Chuprou of Belarus and an all-German clash Hohmann vs Souquet. The Kaiser could have been on the edge in the quarterfinal against Dudanets but survived. In the semi he had a comfortable lead of 6-2 and all of a sudden he went cold and couldn't win a single rack from there. Hohmann managed to come up with a comeback and proceed edto the finals. Alex Kazakis disposed of Chinakhov earlier and Chuprou wasn't a match for the Greek as the latter advanced with 8-3.
In the end it was Kazakis who finished the 2016 Kremlin Cup 10-Ball without tasting defeat. The final match vs Hohmann went in favor of The Hitman early but at 6-6 the Greek – who carries a 10-Ball European championship under his belt from last year – won a vital rack. He extended his lead in the next and never looked back from there and on the match 9-6.
Day three at the Olympic Stadium venue will be all about single elimination for those remaining in the Kremlin Cup. Top players are through almost unscathed, with the one exception being Konstantin Stepanov. Despite some high finishes and a runner-up finish back in the 2013 Kremlin Cup, the Russian star failed to make it to the last 48 this year. Edmond Zaja (Albania) eliminated Stepanov double-hill today.
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz was going strong again on day two, holding his nerve against Corey Deuel and sending the American to the one loss side. With alternate break format, first it was Deuel coming from behind and winning five racks in a row, and then trailing 3-6 it was Sanchez Ruiz has returned the favor.
Mika Immonen prevailed over Ralf Souquet, who was not precise enough with his safeties and also got a couple of bad rolls, with an 8-4 scoreline. The Kaiser still managed to qualify for the single elimination stage though. So did Deuel, who will finds himself facing one of Russia's aspiring youngsters, Andrey Seroshtan.
David Alcaide, Ruslan Chinakhov, Thorsten Hohmann, Alex Kazakis, Maksim Dudanets and Evgeny Stalev all qualified for the next stage undefeated. Now it is do or die. Day 3 sees four rounds of play, and at the end of the day, we will know who the final two contenders will be for the main prize. In addition to the link posted before, live stream from the TV table can be found at https://www.facebook.com/abnbilliards/ , there are also cameras running over some of the remaining Diamond tables at https://www.facebook.com/billiardkremlincup/. Play continues at 11 am (Moscow time).
101 players from 22 countries are ready to start the battle for the $10,000 champion's prize at the 2016 Kremlin Cup. Total prize money is $50 000 and for the first time, this years Kremlin Cup is an official WPA ranking event. In a race to 8 format, with alternate break, the contenders are set to play double elimination until the last 32 players who will then continue in single elimination. And all this on industry-leading Diamond tables! Rumour is, there is even a 10-foot giant for exhibition purposes.
There is a pretty strong fleld this year, with several pool stars looking to make their way to the top and earn ranking points. We have 4 out of 6 players from the junior Team EUROPE that won The Atlantic Challenge Cup last summer in Chicago. Leading that group of juniors is Maksim Dudanets who is no stranger to the US pool scene, having played on The Predator Tour and other notable events including The US Open.
This is also going to be the inaugural Kremlin Cup for David Alcaide, who finished 5th at the recent US Open 9-Ball, along with his fellow countryman Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz. The mighty Germans Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann are already familiar with playing at The Olympic Stadium, as they have been playing in Moscow's biggest tournament for quite a while. This year, both Alcaide and Souquet were involved in a close race for Mosconi Cup Team Europe selection, and both finished short of making to the squad by a small margin.
Those who remember one of the most famous Russians in pool, Evgeny Stalev, will be glad to learn he is playing again. Two years ago he was a runner-up at this event, and he finished 5th last year.
For the second time in a row, The Kremlin Cup will have an American pool star in attendance. Last year, Shane Van Boening couldn't get past Ruslan Chinakhov. This time, it is Corey Deuel who will be riding on his solid performance in Kuwait.
Stay tuned for the next four days, as ABNbilliards crew are going to provide a daily live stream from the TV table with English commentary, and it's free! First day, November 9th, we start at 1 p.m. (Moscow time), check at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebilliardbrothers/?fref=ts. Along with that there are feeds from at least 5 other tables available via web cameras.
England's Darren Appleton capped off an amazing week of pool action by finishing off strong to capture his first ever World 14.1 title ! Appleton had lost in the finals last year, but sweetly rectified that with a resounding victory over America's #1 ranked Shane Van Boening. The Andy Cloth World Tournament of 14.1 6 days of grueling pool stamina battles ended with spectacular performances by the world's greatest professionals.
The ANDY CLOTH World Tournament took place on August 4th-9th, 2014. Also sponsored by Andy Cloth, Kamui Brands, OB Cues, Amsterdam Billiard Club, Realrealcool.com, Pool & Billiard Magazine , Aramith Balls, and George Beckman Kinetic Sculptures. Official patron 14.1 aficionados are Stu Mattana, Tom Gleich, Harold Siegel, Dr. Greg Diehl Plastic Surgery, and Official World 14.1 photographer Charles Eames. A star studded field has made it back once again to the 14.1 extravaganza taking place at Steinway Billiards Cafe, who is once more hosting the world's greatest straight pool championship.
Notably this year's event was particularly tough in the field of champions as former World 14.1 winners Thorsten Hohmann, John Schmidt, and Stephan Cohen all failed to qualify the top 16 final bracket!
The first semi-finals pitted Great Britain against Russia. Evgeny Stalev took the lead early and looked as if his smooth, super offensive style would lead him into the finals. Stalev had played some stellar 14.1 throughout the event, and Appleton had had medicore performances including a dogfest the night before against Mike Dechaine (USA). Down by 70 points, Appleton turned up the juice and made a run. Though Stalev kept the lead for the first half of the match, Appleton took over and never looked back with an eventual 200-145 win.
The next semi-finals was a battle of the Americans. Max Eberle of Las Vegas and Shane Van Boening of South Dakota were fighting to see who would have the right to play for the USA in the championship finals. At first, experience seemed to play in favor of Shane as Max botched many chances early on and Van Boening stretched to a 100+ ball lead. When Eberle had a chance again, he was down 40 to 147. And then he came back to life. Starting with a very tough shot, he went on to run 121 balls and take the lead. To date, Eberle's highest run in competition. SVB eventually got back to the table, but was visibly shaken a bit in his game as he faltered, but Eberle had also used up alot of energy and they both traded safeties for several innings. Needing only 22 balls to make his first major championship finals, Eberle got another key opportunity and was faced with a good break shot into the side pocket. Unfortunately, he made the ball and busted the rack but scratched. Van Boening took the gift and scraped by to a 200-178 win.
"I felt and looked like I was buried. Was so easy to just give up and say I had a good tournament. But seeing Jim Rempe at the 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquer really inspired me. In the video, Nick Varner was congratulating Rempe and said Jim never gave up till the last ball. That was in my head. So I fought back and made the biggest high run of my World 14.1 experiences and made it into a real match", said Eberle after the semi-finals ended.
Last year Appleton had made the error of over practicing before the final day matches, on top of a long 2 hour drive. This year he swore off practice and came into the finals fresh. In contrast, the war with Eberle may have drained Van Boening some as he missed his first chance to strike blood. We will never really know because, once again, Appleton put in a incredible performance. He Started off with a 69 ball run, and then finished with a 131 & out completing the entire championship match in 3 innings!
"Not much I could do there", Van Boening said softly as he shrugged his shoulders. " Darren played great and deserves it."
"I really didn't prepare as much this year for the tournament because been working on my new house and got my wedding this weekend. So I didn't really expect to win at all. I really struggled in the early parts of the tournament including last night in the quarter-finals against Dechaine. But today I felt really good", said Appleton after the finals. "This World 14.1 is one of my favorite tournaments. The win comes at a great time because all my family is coming into town and I can share this with them."
As Darren Appleton's name will be inscribed as the 74th World 14.1 winner, he requested (almost insisted) he be allowed to take home the World 14.1 Cup for the year to showcase in his private poolroom. After a Bronze, a Silver, setting the world record at 200 points, and shooting in 1450 balls this week en route to winning the Gold this year…Dragon Promotions decided he be the first player to earn the right.
Brackets & Stories at www.worldstraightpool.com . Numerous photos and highlights at www.facebook.com/worldstraightpool
Las Vegas's Max Eberle has guaranteed there will be an American fighting it out tomorrow. Russia's Evgeny Stalev has also assured a European in the final four. The third and final stage of the Andy Cloth World Tournament of 14.1 is drawing to a close as the final sweet 16 players narrows down to 6 currently.
The ANDY CLOTH World Tournament is taking place on August 4th-9th, 2014. Also sponsored by Andy Cloth, Kamui Brands, OB Cues, Amsterdam Billiard Club, Realrealcool.com, Pool & Billiard Magazine , Aramith Balls, and George Beckman Kinetic Sculptures. Official patron 14.1 aficionados are Stu Mattana, Tom Gleich, Harold Siegel, Dr. Greg Diehl Plastic Surgery, and Official World 14.1 photographer Charles Eames. A star studded field has made it back once again to the 14.1 extravaganza taking place at Steinway Billiards Cafe, who is once more hosting the world's greatest straight pool championship.
Eberle defeated former Bronze finisher Ralph Eckert (GER) 200-159 and then defeated virtual unknown Andre Lackner of Germany in a tight match.
"I was fortunate Andre didn't put a big run on me. I think his inexperience in big matches this deep during the championship may have helped me some. He missed a few key break shots. But he is really talented and I feel lucky. ", said Eberle.
This is Max's best finish so far since 2006 at the World 14.1. When asked what was different he said, "This year I have not had one drink of alcohol. I think that's a factor"
Stalev met USA"s Justin Bergman for the 3rd time this event. And had lost each time…till today. He finished strong with a 200-88 win and then went on to battle out with NYC's Tony Robles. Robles had a World 14.1 career high 128 against Scotland's Fulcher and eventually won. But he came up short to Stalev in the quarter-finals. A respectable 5th for Robles at the World 14.1
NYC's favorite Silent Assassin trained hard for the World 14.1 and had remained undefeated till today.
Van Boening and Archer seemed a savory match up for fans, with Archer having the experience in many years of 14.1 while SVB had the firepower. But it turned out to be a one sided affair as Shane won the match in 2 innings with a 126 & out finish to beat Archer 200-10.
Immonen and Strickland had a dramatic match that saw leads change numerous times. Both players showed alot of nervousness due to the situation. Mika eventually took the final lead but got stuck at 193 needing 7 balls while Earl needed around 70. Before you knew it, Earl had run 60 and the score stood at 193 – 190 with Earl having a breakshot and needing less than a rack. But just as Mika had faltered from the pressure, Earl did the same after he made the breakshot but missed a semi-long straight in shot. Mika ran out for a ever so close 200-190.
USA's Mike Dechaine battled Philippine's Warren Kiamco and was able to hold off for a 200-147 win while Appleton ran a 93 en route to a 200-30 thrashing of Corey Deuel. Dechaine and Appleton will face off tonight to get to the semi-finals.
Brackets & Watch online Pay Per View at www.worldstraightpool.com
Stream TV Match schedule are the following for today August 8th:
The Final Bracket.
Day 5 TV today at www.worldstraightpool.com .
11:00 am Lackner(GER) vs Shaw(SCO)
1:30 pm Van Boening(USA) vs Archer(USA)
5:00 pm Robles(USA) or Fulcher(SCO) vs Bergman(USA) or Stalev(RUS).
7:30 pm SVB vs Immonen .
$15 price for races to 200 points. Order PPV Matches LIVE for today at www.worldstraightpool.com
By the time the 3rd Annual Steinway Classic had worked its way down to its final 12 players, late Sunday afternoon, August 3, some notable competitors from the final 12 of the 2nd Annual Steinway Classic had been eliminated. Gone were Shane Van Boening and Jayson Shaw, who'd battled for the hot seat in 2013. About to be gone, finishing in the tie for 9/12 was Earl Strickland, who'd been sent to the loss side by Shaw in 2013, won three on the loss side (including his rematch against Shaw) and faced the eventual winner, Van Boening, in the finals. Still left among the final 12 at this year's Classic was Warren Kiamco. He'd been eliminated in 2013 by Earl Strickland, who defeated him on both sides of the bracket. This time, Kiamco went wire-to-wire, undefeated through a field of 64. The $7,000-added event was hosted by Steinway Billiards in Astoria (Queens), NY.
Kiamco met up with Shaun Wilkie in the hot seat match. Kiamco had defeated Evgeny Stalev 9-2, Wilkie just did survive a double hill affair against Jorge Rodriguez. Kiamco defeated Wilkie 9-6, and settled in to wait for Dennis Hatch.
Hatch was busy. He took out Mika Immonen 9-7, and then defeated Mike Dechaine 9-3, to draw Stalev. Rodriguez drew Mike Davis, who'd gotten by Tom D'Alfonso and John Morra, both 9-5. Morra had just finished eliminating Strickland 9-3.
Davis and Rodriguez went double hill before Rodriguez advanced. Hatch, in the meantime, handed Stalev his second straight loss, 9-4. Two straight 9-5 wins, over Rodriguez in the quarterfinals and Wilkie in the semifinals put Hatch into the finals against Kiamco.
Kiamco and Hatch battled to within a game of double hill. Tied at 11, Kiamco took two more to claim the event title.
It's started. The world's oldest, longest running pool tournament has begun with this morning's matches featuring an all star lineup!
The ANDY CLOTH 74th World Tournament is taking place on August 4th-9th, 2014. Dragon Promotions and Dr. Michael Fedak are pleased to bring the 74th production of the oldest billiard event in the world . Also sponsored by Andy Cloth, Kamui Brands, OB Cues, Amsterdam Billiard Club, Realrealcool.com, Pool & Billiard Magazine , Aramith Balls, and George Beckman Kinetic Sculptures. Official patron 14.1 aficionados are Stu Mattana, Tom Gleich, Harold Siegel, and Dr. Greg Diehl Plastic Surgery. A star studded field has made it back once again to the 14.1 extravaganza taking place at Steinway Billiards Cafe, who is once more hosting the world's greatest straight pool championship.
Watch online Pay Per View at www.worldstraightpool.com and order tickets for the 14.1 Hall of Fame Banquet.
Tony Robles’ Predator Pro-Am Tour, Steinway Billiards and William Finnegan are proud to announce the 3rd Annual Steinway Classic on August 2nd & 3rd at Steinway Billiards!
This $7,000 Added event will be streamed live via Pay Per View by Upstate Al, of AZBTV and co-produced by NYCGrind.com and the Predator Pro-Am Tour.
To purchase the live stream for this amazing event please visit www.steinwaybilliards.com/livestream/ Day 1 is $15, Day 2 $15 and you can purchase both days for $25.
Here are some of the top players that are confirmed to play:
Pros have priority to pay their entry first for this event. We have compiled a list of amateur players that will get the opportunity to play as long as we don’t have a full field of 64 pros.
The entry for pros is $125 and $75 for amateurs. Please contact Tony Robles if you’re interested in playing at TonyRoblesNYC@gmail.com.
Dragon Promotions will also have their 14.1 World Straight Pool Tournament at Steinway Billiards August 4-9 and most of the players mentioned above as well as others above will be playing in this prestigious event as well. For more information please visit www.WorldStraightPool.com.
Special thanks to Predator Cues, Delta-13, Ozone Billiards, GothamCityTechnologies.com, Rob Omen of PoolOnTheNet.com, The National Amateur Pool League (PlayNAPL.com), AZBTV, AZBilliards.com, NYCGrind.com, Billiards Digest and Steinway Billiards and their amazing staff! And last but not least my amazing wife Gail Robles!
For more information about our tour please visit www.PredatorProAmTour.com.
We hope to see you all at Steinway August 2-9 for these two amazing events! Stop by and show your support of the game we all love.
