TURKEY Player Bao Phuong Vinh defeated Pedro Piedrabuena 50-49, to help Vietnam have two representatives in the semi-finals of the 3-cushion carom world championship for the first time.
Phuong Vinh's victory on the evening of September 9 was dramatic, as he was behind in the first 22 shots. At times, his opponent created a gap of more than 10 points, but the Vietnamese representative gradually narrowed the gap. When the score was 42-45, Phuong Vinh went on a 6-point series and led 48-45. But the Uruguayan-American scored four consecutive points and led 49-48 after 34 shots.
Player Bao Phuong Vinh at the 2023 Carom 3-Cushion World Championship in Ankara, Turkey. Photo: FiveandSix
However, Piedrabuena's decisive shot lacked power, causing the cue ball to not roll to the target ball. Phuong Vinh stood up and walked towards the table while the ball was still rolling, to save time. Not missing the opportunity, he scored the last two points on the next shot, winning 50-49.
The 28-year-old celebrated his victory by pumping his fist into the air, even though the cue ball had not yet hit the end band to hit the target ball. When victory was assured, he pumped his fist several more times, kissed the Vietnamese flag on his chest and looked into the camera.
With Quyet Chien's victory over Marco Zanetti a few hours earlier, Phuong Vinh became the second Vietnamese player to reach the semi-finals of this year's tournament. For the first time in history, Vietnam has had two representatives reach the semi-finals of the world championship.
Phuong Vinh, 28 years old, defeated world number one Dick Jaspers at the World Cup in Las Vegas, USA in March 2023. This is also the first time he has reached the semi-finals of a world-level tournament, while his senior Quyet Chien has reached the semi-finals of the world championship for the first time.
In the 3-cushion carom tournament system of the International Billiard Federation (UMB), the World Cup and World Championship always gather the top players. The World Cup takes place about six or seven times a year, and any player can participate. The World Championship, on the other hand, only invites the top players on the planet and continents, and takes place once a year.
This year's tournament will take place in Ankara, Turkey from September 6 to September 10. Quyet Chien will meet defending champion Tayfun Tasdemir in the first semi-final, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, Hanoi time. Phuong Vinh will meet Cho Myung-woo in the second semi-final at 4:30 p.m. the same day.
Vnexpress.net
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