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Monday-Saturday 10-15 October 2022
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FRANCISCO SANCHEZ RUIZ WINS 2022 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz has won the 2022 US Open Pool Championship at Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City beating Austria's Max Lechner 13-10 in the final to shoot to World No.1 on the Live Nineball World Rankings taking home the $50,000 first place prize and becoming the first Spaniard to win one of pool's oldest majors.
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Rack 1 - Sanchez Ruiz 0-1 Lechner - Lechner won the lag before taking the opening rack in a break and run to curb any early nerves in the biggest match of both players' careers.
Rack 2 - Sanchez Ruiz 0-2 Lechner - The Austrian doubled his advantage soon after with another break and run, laying down a real warning sign in the process of how he would attack the contest.
Rack 3 - Sanchez Ruiz 1-2 Lechner - After a brief safety exchange Lechner looked to be in to establish a 3-0 lead at the first commercial but a missed seven ball later and Sanchez Ruiz was on the board for the first time in the contest.
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Rack 4 - Sanchez Ruiz 1-3 Lechner - Sanchez Ruiz broke for the first time in the match but was left stumped for a shot on the two. He chose to push out before Lechner put him back in. Sanchez Ruiz kicked at the two but opened up the table in the process to leave Lechner back at the table. The three was still troublesome for Lechner though who went aerial to make contact only to see it fluke in and make an easy out from there.
Rack 5 - Sanchez Ruiz 2-3 Lechner - The contest was swinging for the first time in Sanchez Ruiz's favour thanks to a fluked carom to make the nine when jumping for the two.
Rack 6 - Sanchez Ruiz 3-3 Lechner - A golden break from Sanchez Ruiz brought the pair level for the first time since the start of the match at three all. He'd potted seven balls to win three racks.
Rack 7 - Sanchez Ruiz 3-4 Lechner - Not much could separate the two who were contesting only the third-ever all-European US Open final and it was Lechner who took the initiative after seven. Sanchez Ruiz was looking to cut the three in only to be left in despair as it somehow clung onto the pocket.
Rack 8 - Sanchez Ruiz 4-4 Lechner - The two ball was Lechner's hold-up at times in his semi-final with Ko Ping Chung and it was again in the eighth rack that brought Sanchez Ruiz to the table to level again.
Rack 9 - Sanchez Ruiz 5-4 Lechner - Sanchez Ruiz led for the first time in the match at 5-4. The Spaniard already buoyed by knowing he would be the new Nineball World Rankings No. 1 at the conclusion of the day had found a rhythm and making the most of it.
Rack 10 - Sanchez Ruiz 5-5 Lechner - It was a nightmare for Sanchez Ruiz just as things were heading his way. The 2022 World Cup of Pool winner scratched from the break to put Lechner back to the table to level once again.
Rack 11 - Sanchez Ruiz 6-5 Lechner - Lechner fouled when trying to jump over the four and five to make the three ball. With the ball in hand, Sanchez Ruiz took the lead and was ahead again.
Rack 12 - Sanchez Ruiz 6-6 Lechner - With the two over the pocket, Sanchez Ruiz kicked and missed trying to make it leaving Lechner his time to level once again.
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Rack 13 - Sanchez Ruiz 7-6 Lechner - Lechner broke and snatched at a chance with the rest on the five ball which allowed Sanchez Ruiz to swoop in and take the lead and reach the halfway mark first.
Rack 14 - Sanchez Ruiz 8-6 Lechner - An expert break and run gave Sanchez Ruiz a two rack cushion for the first time in the match and Lechner was starting to rue missed opportunities.
Rack 15 - Sanchez Ruiz 9-6 Lechner - Sanchez Ruiz crunched in the break in the 15th rack and made a clean run out to be four away from the title.
Rack 16 - Sanchez Ruiz 10-6 Lechner - Four balls off the break for Sanchez Ruiz was just the ticket as he looked to hone in on his first-ever individual Matchroom title with another break and run. It was cruise control.
Rack 17 - Sanchez Ruiz 10-7 Lechner - The Sanchez Ruiz momentum was halted swiftly in the 17th after a brief safety exchange, FSR was back at the table but left with a tricky 5-6 combo to stay at the table. He put the table open when making contact with the five which allowed Lechner to swoop and steal a rack back.
Rack 18 - Sanchez Ruiz 10-8 Lechner - A break and run from Lechner brought him within two once again.
Rack 19 - Sanchez Ruiz 10-9 Lechner - Lechner was hooked by the eight when looking to make the seven but showed huge minerals to jump it and make the seven before holding position on the eight and nine to be one away from leveling up.
Rack 20 - Sanchez Ruiz 11-9 Lechner - Just when it looked like Lechner was finding his feet again with arguably the biggest shot of the match in the previous rack, he scratched on the break to leave Sanchez Ruiz with a routine run out to be two away.
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Rack 21 - Sanchez Ruiz 11-10 Lechner - Things were just heating up as Lechner and Sanchez Ruiz got locked into a deep safety battle that in the end the former prevailed in after locking up the cue ball tight one end of the table. Sanchez Ruiz fouled to bring Lechner in to punish him and be one back.
Rack 22 - Sanchez Ruiz 12-10 Lechner - There was dispair for Lechner once again as he scratched off the break to allow Sanchez Ruiz in to clean up and get to the hill first.
Rack 23 - Sanchez Ruiz 13-10 Lechner - The cueball did the work for Sanchez Ruiz as it so always has in a golden year as he sealed a memorable win with a break and run.
What Sanchez Ruiz said
"It is unbelievable how it feels. I feel so happy. Congratulations to Max. Thank you to everyone for the support, I love you guys. IT's the biggest win in my career. There's too many good feelings right now. I received the news of making the Mosconi Cup and it gave me so much. I want to say thank you to my team David Alcaide and Jose Alberto Delgado. It's an unbelievable feeling, it really is."
Next
Next up is the 2022 Mosconi Cup from November 30 to December 3 at Bally's Las Vegas where Jeremy Jones' USA side will be looking to steal the Mosconi Cup back from Alex Lely's European side live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Italy, and Spain, Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland and networks worldwide including on Matchroom.Live for those without a broadcaster in their country.
Both Team USA and Europe have three spots each locked up from the Live Nineball World Rankings with Shane Van Boening joined by Skyler Woodward and Oscar Dominguez this week for the Americans whilst Joshua Filler was joined by Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and Albin Ouschan. Ouschan qualified after Lechner finished as runner-up. Fans can expect to hear more soon from both skippers as they confirm their two wild card picks each to complete their sides ahead of the battle commencing in pool's biggest battle.
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ONLY 16 REMAIN AT US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH VAN BOENING OUT
Shane Van Boening crashed out of the 2022 US Open Pool Championship in a hill-hill defeat to Alexander Kazakis as only 16 remain at Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City ahead of the final two days of action.
Van Boening began the day on the hunt for a record-breaking sixth US Open but it was the case of the champagne being put on ice for at least another year. The World Champion came up Kazakis in full steam ahead mode as the Greek rattled up a 5-0 lead without breaking stride against the American great. Kazakis has had mixed fortune against Van Boening in recent times, defeating him in the final of the 2021 World Pool Masters in a whitewash before tasting defeat at the World Pool Championship semi-final stage back in April.
Kazakis lost his way in the middle of the match as Van Boening rallied to 5-5 and soon 7-5 to lead with an opportunity to reach the hill first. A scratch on the break for Van Boening though brought Kazakis back into it and 7-7. In the next rack, Kazakis missed the two ball and Van Boening reached the hill first.
At times, Kazakis has been doubted and questioned but today wasn't going to be one of those days, back at the table at 8-8 breaking for the match, he was hooked when looking to make the two ball. One bank later from Kazakis and the table was clear for him to run out and secure a memorable win. For Van Boening, the wait goes on but all is not lost with the conclusion of the inaugural SVB Junior Open set to unfold tomorrow afternoon.
In the last 64, saw Jayson Shaw toppled by Lee Vann Corteza 9-2 whilst Wojciech Szewczyk downed Albin Ouschan. David Alcaide fell down to Ko Ping Chung 9-5 with one of the stories of the stage coming from Table 1 live on the Matchroom Pool Facebook where Tyler Styer staked his claim for a Mosconi Cup spot on Team USA by ending Fedor Gorst's hopes of reaching the next round 9-7. It was a watershed showing from Styer but he faced Joshua Filler to reach the Last 16. Last year's runner-up Aloysius Yapp was spectacularly knocked out by Sanjin Pehlivanovic 9-1.
Skyler Woodward will have mixed emotions after today after the two-time Mosconi Cup MVP fell at the hands of Chang Jung-Lin who was on a rampage at times in a 9-4 win but with results going his way, the Kentucky Kid ensured a Mosconi Cup automatic spot to avoid leaving it up to Jeremy Jones' wild card picks. Greg Hogue was also in the Mosconi Cup reckoning for an automatic spot until defeat to Marc Bijsterbosch saw the American bow out 9-2. That news was good for Oscar Dominguez though who will return to the Mosconi Cup for the first time in five years off the Live Nineball World Rankings.
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz had a day to remember, before he even played Ralf Souquet in the Last 64, he knew he would be making his Mosconi Cup debut for Team Europe come November 30 to December 3 as the Spaniard secured the second automatic spot off the Live Nineball World Rankings due to Ouschan's defeat to Szewczyk. On a high, Sanchez Ruiz took down Souquet and Wu Kun Lin to reach the Last 16.
Styer's journey ended at the hands of Mosconi Cup foe Filler leaving his Mosconi Cup hopes in Jones' hands. The American put on a gutsy display to push Filler all the way before the World Pool Masters champion pulled away to a 9-6 win.
Defending champion Carlo Biado will go again on his hunt for the crown in back-to-back years against Konrad Juszczyszyn. Biado coming through in a repeat of last year's semi-final against Naoyuki Oi 9-6.
The Union Jack of Great Britain will be kept flying tomorrow by Chris Melling who is experiencing something of a renaissance in the Diamond Arena. Melling seeing off Joven Bustamante 9-4 before an impressive 9-1 win over Badar Alawadhi. The Magician's match-up with Corteza will kick off the TV coverage tomorrow from 10am ET.
SCHEDULE
TV Table (SEE BELOW WHERE TO WATCH TV TABLE)
Chris Melling (GBR) vs Lee Vann Corteza (PHI)
Joshua Filler (GER) vs Eklent Kaçi (ALB)
Table 1 - Matchroom.Live and Facebook
Ko Ping Chung (TPE) vs Jani Uski (FIN)
Hsieh Chia Chen (TPE) vs Mario He (AUT)
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (ESP) vs Chang Jung-Lin (TPE)
Table 2 - Matchroom.Live and Facebook
Max Lechner (AUT) vs Roland Garcia (PHI)
Alexander Kazakis (GRE) vs Marc Bijsterbosch (NED)
Carlo Biado (PHI) vs Konrad Juszczyszyn (POL)
From tomorrow, the TV table will be live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Italy as well as Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics and Poland, and other broadcasters worldwide which can be found here including on Matchroom.Live in countries without a broadcaster.
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VAN BOENING AVOIDS SCARE ON DAY 2 OF 2022 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Shane Van Boening avoided a scare against rising star Joey Tate along the way to Winners’ Qualification on the second day of action at the 2022 US Open Pool Championship, Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City.
Van Boening started the hunt for his record-breaking sixth US Open crown against Tate and he was pushed all the way by the fearless youngster. Tate came into the contest with little expectation of what was to come and he led at various moments to put Van Boening on the periphery of the losers side of the draw. At 7-7, Tate was at the table and looked to have a routine run out ahead only to pot the wrong ball giving Van Boening ball in hand. With that, Van Boening got to the hill only to scratch on the break, Tate failed to make it pay as Van Boening came through breaking sweat along the way at 9-7.
View the crucial moment here on YouTube (opens new window).
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Every corner of the Waterfront Center at Harrah's Resort was packed with big names as fans soaked in the action. Chang Jung-Lin made light work of his day with two wins dropping only four racks along the way whilst the Austrian contingent of Albin Ouschan, Mario He progressed safely to Winners Qualification without a hitch. Johann Chua stepped past Brandon Shuff 9-7 in the morning before dismantling former Mosconi Cup player Nick Ekonomopoulos 9-2 to face a mouthwatering encounter with Ko Pin Yi for a spot in the Last 64.
It was the end of the road for Jeff De Luna and Dimitri Jungo. Jungo losing out to Ke Wu.
Acton returns from 10 am ET tomorrow morning with Ko Pin Yi meeting Chua for a spot in the Last 64 before 2019 champion Joshua Filler gets his first taste of TV action this week live on the Matchroom Pool Facebook Page at 11:30 am ET. Table 2 begins with Kristina Tkach against Tate before defending champion Carlo Biado takes on Joven Bustamante.
From Monday, 10 October to Thursday, 13 October fans will be able to enjoy the action globally on the Matchroom Pool Facebook and YouTube pages as well as Matchroom.Live with two tables streamed. Fans in China can enjoy all the action on our Weibo page.
The final two days will be live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Italy as well as Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics and Poland, and other broadcasters worldwide which can be found here including on Matchroom.Live in countries without a broadcaster.
A range of ticket packages are available including an event pass giving you access to all six days of action for only $155, a saving of up to $55. A premium event pass gives you reserved front two seats for the single-elimination stage at $205.
There is a handful of seats available for the final day.
Ticket Types – BUY TICKETS HERE
Day Tickets – From $31 including local taxes
Season Pass – $155 including local taxes
Season Pass Premium – $205 including local taxes
All tickets are subject to booking and processing fees.
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CARLO BIADO STARTS US OPEN DEFENCE IN STYLE
Carlo Biado got the defense of his US Open Pool Championship title off to the best of starts as he won two from two on the opening day of play at Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City to reach Winners' Qualification.
The Filipino cueist followed in the footsteps of the great Efren 'Bata' Reyes to clinch last year's title against Aloysius Yapp and a routine 9-1 over Dalibor Nikolin of Serbia meant he avoided an early banana skin before overcoming the returning Kristina Tkach by the same scoreline to be only one match away from the single elimination stage when he faces Joven Bustamante in Winners' Qualification on Wednesday.
Pool's most historic major returned for a second year to New Jersey as fans poured in to see the world's best in the 256-player field competing for a slice of the $300,000 prize fund and they were not disappointed as number eight seed Alexander Kazakis got pushed to the Losers' side at the hands of Jesus Atencio
Two-time Matchroom event winner this season Joshua Filler booked his place in Winners' Qualification after wins over Jeffrey Kennedy and Sharik Sayed whilst Fedor Gorst's return to the Nineball Arena was convincing with victories against Coen Bell and Aleksa Pecelj with the latter making him sweat 9-7.
Elsewhere, former champion Jayson Shaw made lightwork of Vincent Beaurivage and Joshua Roberts to be one away from the Last 64 whilst it was a similar story for fellow Brit Chris Melling who overcame Samuel Disse running five racks along the way 9-1, and Billy Thorpe 9-3.
Subscribers on Matchroom Pool socials got to see one of the rounds of the first round so far to end the day as Skyler Woodward and Jeff De Luna were at loggerheads for the distance as the former ran out on top in the final rack with a 4-9 combo to seal a passage to Winners Qualification.
Badar Alawadhi, Imran Majid, and Dimitri Jungo are among some of the names who will have to fight through the losers bracket to make their way into the Last 64 after defeats on day one whilst 38 players went home after back-to-back defeats.
Acton returns from 10 am ET tomorrow morning with Eklent Kaçi and Long Nguyen before World Champion Shane Van Boening gets his campaign underway to secure a sixth US Open crown underway against Joey Tate live on the Matchroom Pool Facebook Page at 11:30 am ET. Table 2 begins with Johann Chua against Brandon Shuff before Wiktor Zielinski takes on Tyrel Blowers.
From Monday, 10 October to Thursday, 13 October fans will be able to enjoy the action globally on the Matchroom Pool Facebook and YouTube pages as well as Matchroom.Live with two tables streamed. Fans in China can enjoy all the action on our Weibo page.
The final two days will be live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Italy as well as Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics and Poland, and other broadcasters worldwide which can be found here including on Matchroom.Live in countries without a broadcaster.
A range of ticket packages are available including an event pass giving you access to all six days of action for only $155, a saving of up to $55. A premium event pass gives you reserved front two seats for the single-elimination stage at $205. Limited seats are available for the final day.
2022 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
ATLANTIC CITY - USA | ||||
THE WINNER'S LIST | ||||
 | Mike Sigel |  | USA | |
| Allen Hopkins | | USA | |
| Steve Mizerak | | USA | |
| Louie Roberts | | USA | |
| Mike Sigel | | USA | |
| Allen Hopkins | | USA | |
| David Howard | | USA | |
| Mike Sigel | | USA | |
| Earl Strickland | | USA | |
| Jimmy Reid | | USA | |
| David Howard | | USA | |
| Earl Strickland | | USA | |
| Mike Lebron |  | PUR | |
| Nick Varner | | USA | |
| Nick Varner | | USA | |
| Buddy Hall | | USA | |
| Tommy Kennedy | | USA | |
| Earl Strickland | | USA | |
| Efren Reyes |  | PHI | |
| Reed Pierce | | USA | |
| Rodney Morris | | USA | |
| Earl Strickland | | USA | |
| Buddy Hall | | USA | |
| Johnny Archer | | USA | |
| Earl Strickland | | USA | |
| Corey Deuel | | USA | |
| Ralf Souquet |  | GER | |
| Jeremy Jones | | USA | |
| Gabe Owen | | USA | |
| Alex Pagulayan | | PHI | |
| John Schmidt | | USA | |
| Shane Van Boening | | USA | |
| Mika Immonen |  | FIN | |
| Mika Immonen | | FIN | |
| Darren Appleton |  | GBR | |
| Darren Appleton | | GBR | |
| Shane Van Boening | | USA | |
| Shane Van Boening | | USA | |
| Shane Van Boening | | USA | |
| Kevin (Cheng Yu Hsuan) |  | TWN | |
| Shane Van Boening | | USA | |
| Jayson Shaw |  | SCO | |
| Not held. |  | --- | |
| Joshua Filler | | GER | |
| Not held. | | --- | |
| Carlo Biado | | PHI | |
| Francisco Sanchez Ruiz |  | ESP | |
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