WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball Begins

WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball Beginsby InsidePOOL StaffSandia Casino in Albuquerque, NM, plays host to the Women’s Professional Billiards Association’s (WPBA) U.S. Open 9-Ball this week. Defending champion Allison “The Duchess of Doom” Fisher will attempt to retain her title while the 64-player field vies for not only the championship but the $16,000 first-place prize.

WPBA Titans Clash in Florida

WPBA Titans Clash in Floridaby Rick DavisView the tournament bracket (http://www.wpba.com/cms/?pid=1006145)Thursday’s action did not include any elimination rounds, although matches were tense on the winners’ side. “The Duchess of Doom,” Allison Fisher, blew past her opponents Debbie Schjodt 9-3 and Sarah Rousey 9-0, one of only two 9-0 matches to take place. Sarah Ellerby, currently ranked number 10 on tour, squeaked past her first match with Darlene Stinson 9-7, then took much more control in her second, against Stacy Hurst, only allowing Hurst two games. Ellerby commented, “The first match is always difficult,” when asked about her dramatic improvement. Also, Ellerby, like many others were plagued with break problems, causing the tournament director to rack many racks across the various matches. Ellerby called the breaks “scrappy” for all the players, which she said was causing a lot of safeties. This was apparent as the matches ran over time and nearly one-quarter were put on the clock.

WPBA Enters Single-Elimination

WPBA Enters Single-Eliminationby Mark MargarettenSee the tournament chart (http://www.wpba.com/cms/?pid=1005999)By 3:30 p.m., the player to watch was clearly “The Florida Flash,” Van Buren. Not only did she earn her touring pro status by besting Megan Minerich 9-3, she made the final 16, en route to her highest finish yet.

WPBA Elimination Rounds Begin

WPBA Elimination Rounds Begin by InsidePOOL StaffSee the tournament chart (http://www.wpba.com/cms/?pid=1005999)There were a few upsets in the first round. Megan Minerich defeated Gerda Hofstatter 9-5, Tracie Hines defeated Xiaoting Pan 9-1, while Dawn Hopkins defeated Tiffany Nelson 9-5, and Rodgers bested Melissa Little 9-5. But the biggest surprise of the night is that the number-three-ranked Monica Webb took an early exit, sent to the left side by Hsian Huang in a hill-hill match and then ousted by Bonnie Coats 9-8 again.

Upsets Define the First Round at the WPBA Carolina Classic

Upsets Define the First Round at the WPBA Carolina ClassicExcitement filled the air at the Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, NC as all 64 players took the floor in first round matches. As usual, the first round was not without upsets, once again reinforcing the laws of probability while chipping away at the egos of certain unwilling players. Notable upsets included Wisconsin’s Jeri Engh defeating Florida’s Tracie Hines. This was huge because Jeri had been without a match win in 50 matches and finally ended her dry spell with this victory against 2005’s Rookie of the Year. Susan Mello handed reigning world and national champion Ga Young Kim of Korea her first loss, 9-6. Junior champion Anna Kostanian of Albuquerque, NM outlasted Texan Kim White in a 9-8 nail-biter while California’s Darlene Stinson posted one in the “W” column by defeating Florida’s Sarah Ellerby.

Play Kicks Off at WPBA Carolina Billiards Classic

Play Kicks Off at WPBA Carolina Billiards ClassicThe 64 greatest female billiard players in the world converged in Rocky Mount, North Carolina for the WPBA Carolina Billiards Classic. As usual the pre-tournament favorite is defending champion and #1 ranked Allison Fisher. Other pre-event favorites include #2 ranked Karen Corr, 2005 World and National champion Ga Young Kim (Korea), and newcomer Pan Xiaoting. Xiaoting arrived in the U.S. from mainland China in January and has won three consecutive qualifiers to earn spots in the first three pro events of the season! With the amount of talent present, this event promises to be nothing short of spetacular. Play begins Thursday at 11 am EST.