Source: abs-cbnnews.com
-- Defending champion Mika "The Iceman" Immonen of Finland made it two in a row as he claimed his second US Open 9-Ball title in Chesapeake, Virginia this year.
Immonen defeated German ace Ralf Souquet, 13-10, in the finals held at the Chesapeake Convention Center on October 24.
The Finn pocketed the $40,000 top prize while the German settled for $15,000, AZBilliards.com reported.
He became the second player to win back-to-back US Open titles. According to BilliardPulse.com, American Nick Varner was the first to do so in 1989-1990.
Immonen won his opening match, 11-6, against Jerry Fitchett, but lost his next match to Chris Bartram, 9-11. He then had to go through the long and difficult route in the losers’ bracket enroute to claim his back-to-back US Open 9-ball title.
The Finn posted a winning streak in the One Loss Side where he beat the likes of Thorsten Hohmann, Beau Runningen, Charlie Williams, Bartram Stevie Moore, Rodney Morris, Donnie Mills and Filipino Lee Van "The Slayer" Corteza.
Corteza was the best Filipino finisher in the tournament, nabbing 4th place in the US Open championship which is considered one of the most sought-after titles in pocket billiards.
Corteza, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, took home $7,000 as the overall 4th placer, BilliardPhilippines.com reported. He lost to Immonen, 8-11, in the losers’ brackets.
Third placer Mills got $10,000.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
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