World Champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz suffered an unexpected exit from the BetVictor 2024 UK Open Pool Championship, at the Telford International Centre, whereas defending champion Eklent Kaçi advances into tomorrow’s Last 16 live on broadcasters worldwide, including DAZN, Viaplay, and Sky Sports in the UK.
Despite making it to the Last 32, Ruiz fell short against former World Cup of Pool champion Petri Makkonen, losing 10-6. Upsets continued as home favourite Jayson Shaw and Vietnamese star Duong Quoc Hoang both failed to progress from the Last 64 stage, each losing 10-7.
Kaçi’s title defence remained strong, staging a crucial comeback against Mario He, overturning a 1-5 deficit to ultimately secure a 10-7 victory. The defending champion went into the Last 32, where he defeated the Singaporean Toh Lian Han with a decisive 10-5. However, his younger brother, Kledio Kaçi, struggled to advance past the Last 64, falling 10-7 to Makkonen.
The only Austrian to make it to the quarterfinals, Albin Ouschan, secured a hard-fought victory over snooker champion Gary Wilson in a nail-biting 10-9 battle. Ouschan clawed back from a three-rack deficit, earning his place for tomorrow’s matchup.
The Ko brothers effortlessly advanced into the quarterfinals with slid back-to-back victories in their matches, alongside last year’s Mosconi Cup Team USA contenders, Fedor Gorst, Shane Van Boening, and this year’s captain, Skyler Woodward.
To wrap up the day, Joshua ‘The Killer’ Filler claimed his revenge against old foe Anton Raga with a commanding a 10-0 masterclass, marking a stark contrast to Raga’s victory over Filler in the 2023 European Open.
The JS Junior Open returns alongside the main action in the Telford International Centre. Juniors aged 17 and under all came to Telford hoping to make a name for themselves as an up-and-coming superstar. With host Shaw watching on and welcoming, action was fast-paced as they compete for their part of the $10,000 prize fund. All players were provided with a free jersey from partners Onboard Sportswear as well as welcome pack that included tips and chalk from KAMUI. The final of the JS Junior Open will be live-streamed live on the Matchroom Pool YouTube channel thanks to the partners mentioned above and Cuetec, Diamond Billiards, Iwan Simonis, and Aramith Balls.
Live rack-by-rack scoring will be available throughout the event at www.wntlivescores.com.
Wherever you are in the world, you will be able to catch the action with broadcasters globally and live on the Matchroom Pool and Multi Sport YouTube channels in selected territories and on Matchroom.Live. UK-based fans can see the final two days on Sky Sports with the opening four on Matchroom.Live and the Matchroom YouTube. Fans in the USA and Brazil will be able to watch all six days live on DAZN whilst those in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland, Netherlands, and Iceland can watch live on Viaplay.
Spectators will be able to catch the action live from the Telford International Centre throughout the week, with day tickets available from £22 and weekend passes for fans to take in the final two days for just £50.
Secure your ticket here
Ko Ping Yi and Ko Ping Chang (Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)
Only 64 players remain after day three of the BetVictor 2024 UK Open Pool Championship at the Telford International Centre with Eklent Kaçi continuing his title defence into the single elimination stage live on broadcasters worldwide, including DAZN, Viaplay, and Sky Sports in the UK.
Kaçi secured his spot by defeating the Danish viking Mickey Krause with a solid 9-6 victory, joining top World Nineball Tour players like Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, Shane Van Boening, Fedor Gorst, and Joshua Filler in the last 64.
Tough matches for both Mosconi Cup captains, with Skyler Woodward making a terrific comeback winning 5 racks after being down 8-4. Meanwhile, Jayson Shaw narrowly secured his place, after capitalising on Besar Spanhiu missed a 6-9 combo at 7-7, allowing Shaw to execute a carom to win the rack and take back control.
Ko Pin Yi and Ko Ping Chung delivered dominant 9-3 victories side by side on tables one and two to secure their places, while Ko Ping Han fell short against Petr Urban, losing 8-7 and exiting the tournament.
Kledio Kaçi, brother of the defending champion, maintained his winning momentum with a convincing 9-2 win over Thorsten Hohmann from Germany. Carlo Biado also advanced to the last 64, dominating the table once more with a commanding 9-0 victory over Phuong Nam Pham.
James Aranas and the Austrian Trio Albin Ouschan, Mario He, and Max Lechner fell into the loser brackets but rallied in their ‘second chance’ matches to secure spots in tomorrow’s single elimination stage.
Snooker champion Garry Wilson clinched a tense 9-8 victory over two-time World Pool Masters champion David Alcaide, advancing further in the tournament. Alcaide moved into the losers’ qualification but failed to find redemption, losing to Tobias Bongers. Amongst the casualties on the third day were Ralf Souquet, Pia Filler, Sanjin Pehlivanovic, Moritz Neuhausen, and Karl Boyes.
Last 64 Draw
The Last 64 draw was done at the completion of play with the pick of the round including a tasty encounter between defending champion Eklent Kaçi and Mario He. Other stand out ties include Jayson Shaw against Tobias Bonger and Wiktor Zielinski against Alvin Anggito.
For the full draw and live rack-by-rack scoring will be available throughout the event at www.wntlivescores.com.
Wherever you are in the world, you will be able to catch the action with broadcasters globally and live on the Matchroom Pool and Multi Sport YouTube channels in selected territories and on Matchroom.Live. UK-based fans can see the final two days on Sky Sports with the opening four on Matchroom.Live and the Matchroom YouTube. Fans in the USA and Brazil will be able to watch all six days live on DAZN whilst those in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland, Netherlands, and Iceland can watch live on Viaplay.
Spectators will be able to catch the action live from the Telford International Centre throughout the week, with day tickets available from £22 and weekend passes for fans to take in the final two days for just £50.
Secure your ticket here
Tickets for the 2024 Mosconi Cup sold in record time with fans rushing to secure their seats to watch the USA battle for their takeback of the Cup against Europe on home turf. The event heads to Caribe Royale resort in Orlando, Florida for the first time in Mosconi history from November 30 to December 3, broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
GENERAL SALE TICKETS AVAILABLE FRIDAY 10 MAY
Following a release of priority-sale tickets, only a limited number of seats are now available for general sale this Friday, 10 May, to watch the teams compete in the Sunshine State live. The cauldron-like arena will return at the new venue, Caribe Royale resort in Orlando, to accommodate the 2,500 fans travelling from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the action.
The tournament will return stateside following last year’s Mosconi Cup at Alexandra Palace, London with levels expected to be ramped up even further as Jayson Shaw and Skyler Woodward lead Team Europe and Team USA, respectively.
Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the demand of tickets for the 2024 Mosconi Cup, from an event that has grown from 250 fans to now selling out priority tickets in less than an hour shows how far the Mosconi has come and just how many people want to come for the full gig!
“We’re thrilled to unveil this iconic event at the breathtaking Caribe Royale resort in sunny Orlando Florida. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to what promises to be a breath-taking 4 days of top-quality action and production, fierce rivalry, and an entertaining and fun atmosphere.
“The rivalry between the USA and Europe is at its peak with teams hungrier than ever to defend or grasp the Cup. Fans can expect yet another thrilling tournament, with Jayson Shaw and Skyler Woodward to be playing captains for the first time since 2005.”
Ticket prices start from $70 (taxes not included) per day and will be available to purchase on Friday 10 May at 6pm. A whole host of options will be available including VIP and following success in the UK, VIP Couch tickets offering fans the experience of a lifetime from behind the Team Europe and USA benches.
Mosconi Cup Captains Jayson Shaw and Skyler Woodward secured opening wins in dominant fashion at the BetVictor 2024 UK Open live on broadcasters worldwide, including DAZN, Viaplay, and Sky Sports in the UK
Shaw’s 9-1 triumph and Woodward’s 9-2 victory set the pace for top World Nineball Tour players like Albin Ouschan, David Alcaide, Aloysius Yapp, and Mortiz Neuhausen, who breezed through their opening matches to secure spots in the winners’ qualification bracket.
James ‘Dodong Diamond’ Aranas showcased his skill with back-to-back 9-2 victories, securing his spot amongst winners. Meanwhile, 2017 World Pool Championship winner Carlo Biado bounced back after dropping the first rack, rallying with a remarkable 9-rack win streak in the opening round. Biado continued his winning streak with a 9-6 victory over the Italian Daniele Corrieri to enter the winners’ qualification.
Six-time World Pool Masters champion Ralf Souquet started strong with a decisive 9-2 win but faced a tough challenge in his second match against Vietnam’s Bui Trong An from Vietnam, narrowly losing in a hill-hill battle. Misfortune continued for the highly rated Bosnian Sanjin Pehlivanovic, who despite sweeping the first match 9-0, stumbled in the second, suffering a 9-1 loss to Szymon Kural from Poland.
Snooker Scottish Open and Welsh Open champion Gary Wilson notched consecutive victories in his first day, clinching a hard-fought 9-7 win against Mubarak Al-Wahaibi. Wilson then engaged in a thrilling battle with British World Cup of Pool contender Elliott Sanderson, securing his second win after Sanderson missed the 9-ball at the hill.
Meanwhile, World Snooker Tour star Stuart Bingham faced a tough opening round against snooker ace Frazer Patrick, who capitalised on Bingham’s errors, controlling the table to secure a comfortable 9-0 victory. Although Bingham redeemed himself in his second match, he faced disappointment in his third and final match, narrowly losing 7-8 and being knocked out of the tournament.
Live rack-by-rack scoring will be available throughout the event at www.wntlivescores.com.
Wherever you are in the world, you will be able to catch the action with broadcasters globally and live on the Matchroom Pool and Multi Sport YouTube channels in selected territories and on Matchroom.Live. UK-based fans can see the final two days on Sky Sports with the opening four on Matchroom.Live and the Matchroom YouTube. Fans in the USA and Brazil will be able to watch all six days live on DAZN whilst those in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland, Netherlands, and Iceland can watch live on Viaplay.
Spectators will be able to catch the action live from the Telford International Centre throughout the week, with day tickets available from £22 and weekend passes for fans to take in the final two days for just £50.
Secure your ticket here
Oscar Dominguez wins loss-side three, three more in double-elimination to finish as runner-up
They call him “The Martian,” which, as best as we can figure, is in reference to his ‘other-worldly’ skills at the table. He’s been demonstrating those skills for a while now (about seven years, according to our records), but when Vietnam’s Duong Quoc Hoang prevented Shane Van Boening from defending his 2022 World Pool Championship title by eliminating him (double hill) in the 2023 event, and then, finished 5th, people started to notice. Though he cashed in a total of eight events, all over the world that year, including a 3rd place finish in last February’s Alfa Las Vegas Open, he didn’t win an event in what turned out to be his best recorded earnings year, to date.
In an international field of 104 that got together this past weekend (May 1-5) at McGoldrick’s Pool & Sports Bar in Glasgow, Scotland, Hoang got off to shaky start, losing his opening match to Taipei’s Ko Ping Han 10-7. He won the next five matches on the loss side to qualify for the event’s single-elimination, final 16 and then won four more to claim the title. This caused quite a stir in Vietnam, where reportedly (by Vietnam media) hundreds of thousands of people watched him win his first international title and the first international title won by a player from Vietnam.
Sacramento, California’s Oscar Dominguez, who (as far as we know) started earning cash payouts during the first term of George W. Bush (2003), didn’t attract as much (streaming) attention here in the US as Hoang did in Vietnam, but he made enough noise in finishing as the runner-up to attract the kind of international notice that accompanied Hoang’s defeat of Shane Van Boening a year ago.
The two of them came into the event ranked 42nd (Dominguez) and 44th (Hoang) on the World 9-Ball Tour rankings. They were playing ‘way above their pay grade,’ at least in World 9-Ball ranking terms, which measures success strictly in terms of finance. And wait’ll you hear the people they beat to get to the finals.
As Hoang was busy at work on the loss side of the double-elimination bracket, Dominguez was working on the winners’ side. For two matches, defeating UK’s Bash Maqsood 10-2 and Italy’s Francesco Candela 10-6. Then he ran into the #1 competitor in the World 9-Ball Tour rankings, Spain’s Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz, who defeated him 10-6.
Sanchez-Ruiz’ winners’ side run ended in the next round, when he was defeated by Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Sanjin Pehlivanovic 10-5.Joining Pehlivanovic in single-elimination from the winners’ side were David Alcaide, Joshua Filler, Thorsten Hohmann, Shane Van Boening, Tyler Styer, Aloysius Yapp and Fedor Gorst. In other words, (in order, as named) World 9-Ball-ranked competitors #19, #8, #6, #34, #2, #32, #10 and #3.
On the loss side, Hoang got his five-match, loss-side streak underway with a shutout over Jake-Dylan Newlove, an 8-2 win over Benji Buckley, an 8-3 win over Elliot Sanderson, and an 8-1 victory over Mustafa Alnar. Then, it started getting interesting when he and Carlo Biado fought to double hill before Hoang closed it out to meet up with the guy that his eventual opponent in the finals had sent over, Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz, who only had to win the single, loss-side match to get himself back on track in single-elimination. Didn’t happen, as #44 took down #1 10-7.
Dominguez had to win three to get back to single elimination. He did so by defeating Ko Ping Han 8-2, Dawud Qadir 8-4 and in the qualifying match, Japan’s Naoyuki Oi 10-6. Joining the two who’d be the last men standing, from the loss side, were Albania’s Eklent Kaci, Spain’s Jonas Souto, UK’s Jayson Shaw (who’d lost his opening match to Liu Ri Teng and defeated Karl Boyes to advance back), Albania’s Albin Ouschan, Taipei’s Ko Pin-Yi and the Netherlands Neils Feijen (last year’s addition to BCA’s Hall of Fame).
While neither Tyler Styer, Eklent Kaci, nor Ko Pin Yi would be considered ‘easy’ draws by any stretch of the imagination, it could be argued that Hoang had the softer, single-elimination path to the finals, because while Hoang was going through that gauntlet, Dominguez had to get through Josh Filler, Thorsten Hohmann and Jayson Shaw, whose ranking numbers, in total (45), are just three over Dominguez’ #42.
Hoang eliminated Styer 10-7, Kaci 10-5 and punched his ticket to the final with a double-hill, semifinal win over Ko Pin-Yi. Dominguez, more than likely taking a huge breath after every step along his path to the same destination, got into a double-hill tussle against Filler right off the bat (breath). Thorsten Hohmann stayed close, until Dominguez edged out in front near the end to win it 10-7 (another breath).
Anyone who has ever played against him or just watched Jayson Shaw play will tell you that he can be an intimidating opponent. He doesn’t try to throw you off stride by acting particularly aggressive. In fact, at times, he can look as though he’s ready for a nap. What settles into your head more than anything is the quick and decisive ways that he approaches the table, finds the shot he needs to make, gets down on it and pulls the trigger. In less time than it takes him to get onto his feet and get to the table. One shot after another; see it, get down and shoot, faster than you can say 1, 2, 3. Over and over. He’ll make an unforced position error every once in a while, but rarely makes a shot error. And again, if you’ve watched this, as competitor or spectator, you know that a significant or satisfying win will have him roaring like the MGM lion, only louder. And if all that doesn’t rattle your cage a bit, you might want to check yourself for a pulse.
By the same token, it wasn’t Dominguez first rodeo and over the years, he’s squared off against some of the best in the business. Shaw’s ‘routine’ appeared to have little effect, as Dominguez pulled out in front early and joined Hoang in the finals with a 10-5 win over Shaw in the other semifinal (another breath).
And then, the final. After working their way through some of the best competitors on the World 9-Ball Tour stage (they’d both defeated the WNT’s #1-ranked competitor, Sanchez-Ruiz), their match between each other had to offer Dominguez and Hoang a measure of relief. Not underestimating their opponent, but confident enough with their work to that point that they might actually have settled into enjoying themselves a bit. Relaxing, not when it got down to the business of shot-making, but just in the minute-by-minute reality of absorbing all that had gone before and paying attention to what was happening at the table.
It got close. One of those almost double-hill matches, with all the tension of double hill, minus the agonizing fact that after all the work that’s gone into a sizeable tournament, winning or losing has come down to a single game. There was a $6,000+ difference between 1st and 2nd place, so there was a lot at stake in the final match, although given what they’d gone through to get there, I suspect they both figured on ending up as ‘happy campers’ no matter how it turned out.
As he had done in all four of the single-elimination tournaments, Hoang came from behind to claim the final “W.” They traded racks to a 3-3 tie before Dominguez won five of the next six to take an 8-4 lead. Hoang took it over from there, winning it 10-8 to claim his first international title at the Jacoby Scottish Open. According to reports in Vietnamese media, Hoang raised his cue in celebration and later posted on social media “I made it.”
WNT is thrilled to announce the return to the heart of Vietnam for the eagerly awaited Mansion Sports Hanoi Open Pool Championship October 8–13, sponsored by the prestigious leading sports investment firm, Mansion Sports & Entertainment Group.
In partnership with Nineball’s host UK broadcaster Sky Sports, this electrifying spectacle on the World Nineball Tour will once again grace the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium within the Vietnam National Sports Complex.
SPECTATORS TICKET INFORMATION TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
• Mansion Sports to title sponsor Hanoi Open from 8-13 October 2024.
• $200,000 prize fund for 256 player field event.
• WNT 128 signed professionals to feature.
• Second signature Matchroom multi-table event in Asia since the start of WNT.
The Hanoi Open Pool Championship, newly sponsored by Mansion Sports, will see 256 players battling it out for $200,000 prize fund over the course of six thrilling days.
This year’s tournament aims to build upon the overwhelming success of its inaugural event, which saw 3,000 fans in attendance for the final. This year will boast an even stronger lineup with the World Nineball Tour top 128 signed professionals to feature, alongside the global qualifiers of 2024. Qualifiers to be announced in the coming months.
Among the competitors, defending champion Jayson Shaw will make his return to Hanoi once more, joined by a stellar lineup including local luminaries Duong Quoc Hoang and Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, alongside Asia’s biggest names such as Ko Pin Yi, Dang Jin Hu, Aloysius Yapp, Michael Feliciano, Carl Biado, and Ko Ping Chung. Similar to 2023, this tournament will determine the third automatic qualifying spot to play in this year’s Mosconi Cup.
Jayson Shaw said: “Returning to Hanoi as the defending champion fills me with absolute joy, and I truly excited to see the Mansion Sports partnership come alive for this iconic event. Competing in Vietnam last year and witnessing the ‘Hanoi Hype’ first hand was unmatched. I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of such a passionate pool community, and I look forward to soaking it all in once again.”
Managing Director of Mansion Sports & Entertainment Group, Denis Keet said: “Mansion Sports & Entertainment Group is proud to sponsor such a prestigious event like Hanoi Open. We commend Matchroom for their commitment to organising this event and the beautiful city of Hanoi for hosting the event. We look forward to more partnerships in the future.”
CEO of Matchroom Multi Sports Director, Emily Frazer said: “It is a privilege to have the support of Mansion Sports for the Hanoi Open as it returns to Vietnam, carrying forward its legacy on the World Nineball Tour. Last year’s event marked a significant milestone in the history of the Tour, showcasing the passion and talent within the global pool community. The enthusiasm displayed by thousands of fans is why I’m so excited to return to the city for this year’s event.
“The Mansion Sports Hanoi Open will follow a similar format to last year, with 256 players, including 128 Matchroom-signed professionals from across the globe, competing for a grand prize pool of $200,000. Sky Sports, which has been instrumental in our efforts, will broadcast the last two days of this year’s championship live, further bolstering Nineball’s momentum and seamlessly aligning with our event calendar.
ABOUT MANSION SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Mansion Sports Entertainment Group (MSEG) is a leading investment firm based in the UK, specializing in investments across sports facilities, sports news portals, and sports entertainment. MSEG aims to shape the future of sports in different markets around the world. With our team of experts in their field, our mission is to drive innovation and growth in the sports industry; through Integrity, Collaboration, and Sustainability. We are shaping the future of sports in different markets around the world. Join us in driving positive change in the sports industry.
ABOUT VIETCONTENT
Vietcontent, as the primary organizer of Matchroom’s Hanoi Open Pool Championship in Vietnam, stands as a top sports agency in Vietnam. Spearheading sports licensing endeavors, they’ve successfully introduced prestigious events like the NBA, Basketball World Cup, Tennis Grand Slams, Bundesliga, Matchroom Nine-ball Tournaments, UEFA Champions League etc. to Vietnam. Their sports production team ensures comprehensive coverage of all live sports events, adhering to the highest standards in the country. Leveraging their own media channels such as “Webthethao” and “Vietnam Billiards Promotion,” they’ve achieved top rankings in sports news coverage in Vietnam. Furthermore, Vietcontent serves as a leading sports marketing agency, boasting a team of top experts. They extend their reach to international sports events hosted in Vietnam, including the Vietnam International Half-Marathon and the South East Asia Volleyball League. Committed to the belief that sports will make a better life, Vietcontent continues to strive in the realm of sports.
ABOUT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR
Introducing the World Nineball Tour (WNT), a game-changing initiative in professional pool. With a $5 million minimum prize fund and over 40 ranking events worldwide, the WNT heralds a new era for the sport. Committed to fairness, transparency, and commercial viability, the WNT offers players a clear path to success by providing opportunities to accrue World Nineball Ranking points and gain access to prestigious tournaments on the calendar.
Tickets for the 2024 Mosconi Cup, from 30 November to 3 December at the Caribe Royale resort in Orlando, Florida will go on Priority Sale from Wednesday, 8 May at 6pm BST/1PM EST with General Sale to follow from Friday, 10 May at 6pm BST/1PM EST. The biggest event on the World Nineball Tour calendar will be live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom &Ireland.
The 2024 Mosconi Cup will take place from Saturday, 30 November to Tuesday, 3 December starting from 1pm local (6pm UK) daily in the Sunshine State for the first time, promising to be one of the most hotly contested in the tournament’s steeped history. Competition for places on Team Europe and Team USA are even higher due to the growth of theWorld Nineball Tour and an enticing prize fund, with each member of the winning side set to pocket $40,000.
Last year,the crowd in Alexandra Palace, London raised the roof, with levels expected toramp up even further as Jayson Shaw and Skyler Woodward lead team Europe andTeam USA, respectively, for the first time since 2005 as playing captains. Fans can expect an intense showdown, with Europe aiming to extend their winning streak and USA striving for a historic comeback on home soil.
Ticketprices start from $70 per day with a whole host of options available includingVIP and following success in the UK, VIP Couch tickets offering fans theexperience of a lifetime from behind the Team Europe and USA benches. VIP ticket holders will get access to the Mosconi Cup VIP lounge before play where they will be treated to a buffet brunch along with unlimited drinks for four hours.
Price Types
– Silver Rows J-P: From $70
– Gold Rows D-H: From $90
– VIP Rows A-C: From $400
– VIP Hospitality – Includes VIP Hospitality package plus a sofa seat behind team benches: From $500
Prices do not include local taxes.
VIP INCLUDES
– Get closer to the action with the seating in the front three rows.
– Welcome drink on arrival
– Enjoy a brunch buffet in the Mosconi Cup VIP Lounge before play
– Hosted Open Bar for 4 hours
– Photo opportunity with the Mosconi Cup Trophy
– Private Bar in the Mosconi Cup Lounge
– Official event programme
– Daily meet and greet with the Mosconi Cup players and captains
– Exclusive VIP lanyard
If you require Accessible Seating, please contact 407-238-8424 to help us meet your needs.
Accommodation
Spectators can book accommodation at the Caribe Royale resort and will receive a discounted rate if accommodation is booked before the 11 May 2024.
Fedor Gorst has won the 2024 World Pool Masters title in Hildesheim, Germany, beating Joshua Filler in the final 13-12, the longest match in the tournament’s history, presented in partnership with local organiser Moltke Sports and host broadcaster Sky Sports.
Filler won the lag but scratched from the opening break, handing Gorst the chance to clear up, only to find himself hooked after attempting to pot the 8 ball. The opponents exchanged misses on the 8 ball until the American eventually potted it, but his attempt at a bank shot with the 9 ball failed, allowing Filler to clinch the first rack and kickstart a three-rack winning streak.
Fedor secured his first rack win in the fourth after Filler’s dry break, but he gifted the advantage back to Filler with a dry break of his own in the sixth. Seeking a comeback, Fedor exploited Filler’s miss on the 4 ball in the seventh, following it up with a well-executed safety shot in the eighth, forcing Filler to falter on a 5 ball jump shot. Fedor seized the opportunity to level the score, then cleared the table in the ninth to take the lead.
Filler countered Fedor’s hook of the 6 ball in the tenth with an impressive jump shot into a bank 6-9 combo, levelling the field. The pair proceeded to battle over the next seven racks, pouncing on any small errors made by their opponent. However, by rack 17, Gorst broke away from the level field to establish a two-rack advantage 10-8
The ‘Killer’ Filler capitalised on Fedor’s failure to pot the 3 ball in the nineteenth, bulldozing his way to the hill. However, a dry break in rack 23 stopped Filler’s momentum, allowing Gorst to take back control of the table to bring it to hill-hill. Following a tense comeback from being 10-12 down, Fedor Gorst gracefully cleared the table in the final rack, securing his first Matchroom Major title.
Fedor Gorst said: “It feels unbelievable! Both of us had crazy rolls in this match. I thought it was over for me but somehow it turned around for me. Hats off to Matchroom, this is an unbelievable tournament to win.”
NEXT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR EVENT
The Jacoby Scottish Open will take place the weekend before the next Matchroom event with the tournament set to be held at McGoldricks Sports Bar in Glasgow with the world’s elite set to descend on one of the UK’s most historic sporting cities for a vital World Nineball Tour Ranking event and tune-up ahead of the UK Open Pool Championship.
NEXT MATCHROOM EVENT
The first signature Matchroom major open event comes next at the Telford International Centre, Telford for the UK Open Pool Championship from May 7-12 with the Jayson Shaw Junior Open taking place on May 10-11. Buy your tickets here from £20.
ABOUT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR
Introducing the World Nineball Tour (WNT), a game-changing initiative in professional pool. With a $5 million minimum prize fund and over 40 ranking events worldwide, the WNT heralds a new era for the sport. Committed to fairness, transparency, and commercial viability, the WNT offers players a clear path to success by providing opportunities to accrue World Nineball Ranking points and gain access to prestigious tournaments on the calendar.
Joshua Filler and Fedor Gorst will contest the 2024 World Pool Masters final at the at Halle39 in Hildesheim, Germany, in partnership with local organiser Moltke Sports and host broadcaster Sky Sports.
Joshua Filler 11-8 Ko Pin Yi
Fedor Gorst 11-7 Jayson Shaw
The semi-finals commenced with a mouthwatering matchup, featuring defending champion Ko Pin Yi and the 2022 World Pool Masters champion, Joshua Filler, both eyeing their second World Pool Masters title.
Filler took an early lead in the opening racks, with Ko closely trailing behind, securing a victory in the third rack. However, Ko’s missed attempt to pocket the 5 ball in the fourth rack handed Filler an opportunity to showcase his prowess with an incredible bank shot on the 8 ball. The ‘Prince of Pool’ retaliated against Filler’s safety play with the 1 ball, setting himself up for a 1-9 combo off the bank.
Despite the initially balanced playing field, Ko’s failure to sink two long shots in racks 7 and 9 paved the way for Filler to establish an unassailable lead in the semi-final. Filler’s five-rack winning streak was interrupted in rack 12 when Ko fluked the 9 ball off the 2 ball after Filler played a safety shot. In rack 14, Filler attempted to seize back control but missed the 4 ball, allowing Ko to execute a spectacular jump shot on the 5 ball and secure his third consecutive rack win.
However, Ko’s winning streak was short-lived as he failed to pocket the 5 ball in the following rack, enabling Filler to not only clear up but also reach the hill in rack 16. Despite Ko’s valiant efforts to secure two more rack wins in the seventeenth and eighteenth, his luck ran out in rack 19 when he scratched while attempting to pocket the 1 ball. This setback allowed ‘Killer’ Filler to eliminate the defending champion and advance into the final with his head held high.
The semi-finals concluded with a grudge match between the British billiards player Jayson Shaw and the American sensation Fedor Gorst, seeking vengeance after his defeat to Shaw in the Hanoi Open last year.
Fedor initiated his quest for revenge with an 8-9 combo in rack 1, only to concede the advantage to Shaw in the second rack following a scratch, levelling the playing field. In rack 6, Fedor missed the 2 ball, seemingly setting the stage for Shaw to capitalise, but the Brit mirrored Fedor’s error, missing the 2 ball and handing the rack to the American. ‘Eagle Eye’ Shaw retaliated after Fedor failed a jumpshot on the 2 ball in rack 7, allowing Shaw to inch past Gorst and seize the lead in the subsequent rack.
Gorst redeemed himself with a remarkable jumpshot across the table to pocket the 3 ball and regain control in rack 9, sparking a fierce exchange between the two cueists. By rack 15, Shaw attempted to break from a level playing field with a safety shot, but Fedor capitalised by potting the 2 ball, igniting the American’s sweet revenge in a four-rack winning streak to eliminate the Brit and move closer to securing the title.
The final begins at 7 pm UK time tonight, with 13 being the magic number for victory and a World Pool Masters crown for either Joshua Filler or Fedor Gorst.
Watch live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, DAZN in the USA, Spain, Italy, and Brazil as well as on Viaplay in the Netherlands, Poland, Scandinavia and the Baltics. If no broadcaster is available in your country, watch the action on Matchroom.Live. See where to watch in your country here
The 30th Anniversary of World Pool Masters will maintain last year’s most challenging format, with 16 players competing to take home a $40,000 share from an enticing $125,000 prize pool. Opening round ties will be Race to 9 with the Matchroom break box, magic-racking, and winner breaks in action, with the tournament stretching going to race to 10 for the quarter-finals, 11 for the semi-finals, and 13 for the final.
ABOUT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR
Introducing the World Nineball Tour (WNT), a game-changing initiative in professional pool. With a $5 million minimum prize fund and over 40 ranking events worldwide, the WNT heralds a new era for the sport. Committed to fairness, transparency, and commercial viability, the WNT offers players a clear path to success by providing opportunities to accrue World Nineball Ranking points and gain access to prestigious tournaments on the calendar.
Defending champion Ko Pin Yi knocked out WNT No.1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz to advance to the semi-finals of the 2024 World Pool Masters at Halle39 in Hildesheim, Germany, in partnership with local organizer Moltke Sports and host broadcaster Sky Sports.
Despite securing the opening rack, Ruiz suffered a setback when he scratched from the break in rack 2, igniting a dominant winning streak for the ‘Prince of Pool,’ Ko Pin Yi. The Spanish cueist made an effort to stage a comeback in rack 6 with a jump shot over the 7 ball to pot the 2 ball, but his momentum was short-lived after missing the 4 ball in the same rack.
In rack 11, Ko Pin Yi’s streak nearly came to an end at the hill after failing to pot the 2. Ruiz, eager to maintain possession, opted for safety when attempting to kick the 2 ball, only to inadvertently fluke it, leaving himself trapped from the 3 ball. Capitalising on Ruiz’s error, Ko Pin Yi secured victory in the quarter-final with a commanding 10-1 win, further solidifying his title defence.
The outcome was different for the other brother, Ko Ping Chung, who was dismantled at the start of the day by Joshua Filler, who seized the lead in rack 5 after Ko’s failure to execute a 2-9 combo. Killer Filler showcased an exceptional 3-ball long shot in the sixth rack, effortlessly clearing the table once again.
Rack 8 witnessed a tense exchange between the two, as Ko scratched the 2 ball, handing control back to Filler. However, Filler’s missed shot on the 8 ball provided a glimmer of opportunity for the ‘King Killer’ Ko, who attempted a jump shot to pot the 8 ball, only to miss and inadvertently assist Filler’s winning streak.
Filler continued his masterclass, executing a 6-8 carom swiftly followed by a 6-7 combo in rack 11. Despite a fleeting moment of hope in rack 13 with a 3-8 combo, it proved insufficient for the Chinese Taipei star, who succumbed to the German powerhouse, who moves closer to claiming his second World Pool Masters title on home turf.
Entering the evening matches, Fedor Gorst secured another victory over an Austrian contender in the World Pool Masters, this time defeating Albin Ouschan. Foreshadowing the outcome, the opening rack witnessed a golden break for Fedor, marking the beginning of his composed and tactical performance. Gorst embarked on a six-rack streak, executing a flawless 2-8 combo in rack 2 and a bank shot of the 9 ball in rack 4. In the seventh, Albin capitalised on Fedor’s failure to pot the 3 ball, allowing Albin to perform a 3-6 combo to clear the table and claim his first rack victory.
In rack 8, another opportunity arose for the Austrian, who accidentally fluked the 4 ball while attempting to pot the 3 ball. However, it proved insufficient for Ouschan, who missed the 3 ball once again, handing control back to Fedor. To seal the quarter-final with ease, Gorst played a safety shot with the 2 ball, prompting Albin to foul and set up Gorst’s 2-9 combo to reach the hill. In typical Fedor Gorst fashion, he cleared the table in the eleventh rack to advance to the semi-finals with a comfortable 10-1 victory.
The quarter-finals concluded with a gripping showdown between the two Mosconi Cup giants, Shane Van Boening and Jayson Shaw. Van Boening asserted his dominance in the opening racks, capitalizing on Shaw’s break scratch in rack 1, followed by a golden break in rack 2. Shaw mounted a comeback from a 7-3 deficit, seizing the opportunity when Van Boening missed the 3 ball in rack 10, eventually taking the lead to level the score at rack 14, making it 7-7.
Desperate to reclaim his initial lead, Shane edged ahead 8-7 in rack 15 when Shaw failed to hook the 2 ball. Shaw, composed as ever, redeemed himself in the following rack to tie the score at 8-8 after Shane struggled to pot the 1 ball. The odds seemed to favour Shaw in rack 17, who fluked the 9 ball when attempting to pot the 5 to reach the hill. Maintaining his composure, Jayson Shaw cleared the table, leaving no opportunity for Shane to stop his comeback 8-10 victory.
The semi-finals of the World Pool Masters kick off at 12:30 pm CET tomorrow with Joshua Killer Filler challenging defending champion Ko Pin Yi, followed by Fedor Gorst vs. Jayson Shaw. The winners of both matches will go on to play in the final at 7 pm in the ultimate showdown.
Watch live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, DAZN in the USA, Spain, Italy, and Brazil as well as on Viaplay in the Netherlands, Poland, Scandinavia and the Baltics. If no broadcaster is available in your country, watch the action on Matchroom.Live. See where to watch in your country here
The 30th Anniversary of World Pool Masters will maintain last year’s most challenging format, with 16 players competing to take home a $40,000 share from an enticing $125,000 prize pool. Opening round ties will be Race to 9 with the Matchroom break box, magic-racking, and winner breaks in action, with the tournament stretching going to race to 10 for the quarter-finals, 11 for the semi-finals, and 13 for the final.
ABOUT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR
Introducing the World Nineball Tour (WNT), a game-changing initiative in professional pool. With a $5 million minimum prize fund and over 40 ranking events worldwide, the WNT heralds a new era for the sport. Committed to fairness, transparency, and commercial viability, the WNT offers players a clear path to success by providing opportunities to accrue World Nineball Ranking points and gain access to prestigious tournaments on the calendar.
