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2016 WPA World 9-Ball Championships
Qatar Billiards & Snooker Federation
Al-Arabi Sports Club
Al Shaab Street
Doha
Qatar
www.qbsf.qa - facebook - live score
www.alarabi.qa
www.alkass.net - live stream
www.wpa-pool.com - Twitter - facebook

Friday 29 July - Thursday 4 August 2016

All photography courtesy of �Bo Bader - used by Pro9 with express permission

Red hot Brit Jayson Shaw and American Shane Van Boening barge into the final 16 at the 2016 World 9-ball Championship

After an unpredictable day of world class pool, the 2016 WPA World 9-ball Championship has come down to the last 16 competitors. From here the pressure and drama is guaranteed to be ramped up, as the remaining players can suddenly see the golden prize, pool�s ultimate and most prestigious crown. The round of 16 and the quarterfinals will take place on Wednesday. The semi-finals and final will be held on Thursday.

And what a race to the mountain top of pool it will be. The final 16 still standing comprise an amazing mix of players from nearly every pool playing region. Some of those still present represent the current and old guard, while a slew of them embody the strong youth movement in the sport of pool. The only thing we know for sure is that we will crown a brand new champion come Thursday evening.

Great Britain�s Jayson Shaw today made an excellent case for some seriously good odds being placed on the affable Scotsman. Shaw came into this year�s championship playing the best pool of his career. In Doha, the 26 year old had to come from the loser�s side in the group stages, and in his first match in today�s round of 64, he was paired up against none other than defending champion Ko Pin Yi.

Shaw never flinched and looked as cool as the Al Arabi Sports Club air conditioning out on the TV table. Breaking well and playing excellent safeties, the Brit surprisingly waltzed to a comfortable 11-5 win over the fancied Taiwanese.

In the round of 32 Shaw then had to face another monster in the Philippines� Dennis Orcollo, who had just come from behind to topple Germany�s Thorsten Hohmann, 11 � 8. Again, Shaw was unflappable, coming back from an early deficit to walk away with the match, 11-5.

The Scotsman certainly seems to have that winner�s air about him. Relaxed, focused and clearly having the time of his life, Shaw has all the tools in his bag to advance even further.

�I feel really calm out there,� Shaw said after disposing of Orcollo. �I�m just taking it ball by ball, not thinking ahead, grinding away, stay down on the shot, put the cue straight through the shot, take my time, don�t let it affect me if I make a mistake or two. I�m happy with my performance. Breaking good, safeties are good. When the tournament started my goal was to get to the last 16, and I�ll just carry on from there. Now I�m there. I�m happy, really pleased. Hopefully I can keep the momentum tomorrow and roll on again.�

If you�ve watched enough pool at this level, it quickly becomes clear that being able to let the inevitable stress roll off your back and play without a care in the world is a big key to success. Which means just because Shaw�s next opponent in the round of 16 is hardly a big name, that doesn�t tell him things will get any easier.

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