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U.S.Open 9-Ball Championships
Chesapeake Conference Center
900 Greenbrier Circle
Chesapeake
Virginia
USA
www.accu-stats.com - ppv video
www.insidepoolmag.com - brackets Full 256 Players : Final 8 Players
www.usopen9ballchampionships.com - official site
VIDEOS:
InsidePOOLmag Interviews 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
AZBilliards Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
NYC Grind Highlights 1, 2

17-23 October 2010

Great Britain's Darren Appleton is the new 2010 US Open Champion.
All photographs �JRCalvert/InsidePOOL - used by Pro9 with express permission.
"Dynamite" Darren Appleton wins thrilling 15-13 victory over USA's Corey Deuel

It's impossible to describe the level of tension experienced by the die-hard fans in Europe who watched until 4:15am, sitting on the edge of their seats, as Britain's Darren Appleton nurtured and cajoled the smallest of head-starts all the way to the hill in this race-to-13 (win by 2 clear racks) final of the 35th annual edition of the US Open 9 Ball Championship.

Heaven only know's what kind of pressure Darren was feeling, but European hearts stopped beating as, with all due respect to him, Corey caught a gear and pulled level, and then even took a 13-12 lead over the former English pool player from West Yorkshire, in the most decisive stage of the match.

Battling in the toughest tournament of his career, Appleton showed that he too could come from behind, took the next three racks, and let out a might, "WHOOP" falling to the ground in elation. The 15-13 victory earns Appleton an incredible $40,000, a lifetime invitation to this event, and a place in US Open history.

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Founded in 1976 by Barry Behrmann, this year marks the 35th Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships - widely considered to be the most significant annual pool tournament held on US soil, and this year they are celebrating a full 256 player field for the first time in a decade.

The tournament is open to all-comers, although the $500 entry fee keeps the standard high, and in a unique twist all previous champions are given free entry to this tournament for life. There is still $50,000 added to the prize fund - guaranteed, no matter how many entrants had enlisted, and there's seating for up to 300 fans to watch in the playing arena.

Women play alongside the men, and Europe is well represented in this event - it has been won by Finland's Mika Immonen twice in as many years, so we've all got our fingers crossed for a good performance from our players.

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