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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- World Ten Ball champ Mika Immonen combined with Borana Andoni as Team Europe beat Japan in the opener of the 2009 World Mixed Doubles Classic Tuesday at the Nuvo City Lifestyle Center in Libis, Quezon City.

Team Europe outscored Japanese duo Hayato Hijikata and Kaori Ebe, 7-5, extending Immonen’s streak in international tournaments.

The Fin had just defeated RP’s Lee Vann Corteza in the final of the World Ten Ball Championship Monday night.

Immonen also won his second straight US Open title last month.
“I just felt like I can win every match I play,” he said.

His success rubbed off to his playing partner.

“Mika’s winning habit is contagious,” said Andoni, who hails from Albania.

But Team Japan didn’t go down without a fight. They actually took control of the match early and had several chances to pull off an upset in the event presented by Nuvo Land Philippines, Inc. and Dragon Promotions.

After racing to a 5-3 lead, the Japanese had two chances to reach the hill. But Ebe and Hijikata took turns in missing easy shots late in the racks.

Ebe missed a tough-angled shot on the nine-ball to let Immonen and Andoni equalize on the 10th rack while Hijikata’s shot on the 10-ball rattled out on the 11th.

The six teams in the $12,000 event supported by Puyat Sports, ABS-CBN Sports, ESPN-Star Sports and Philippine Star are divided into two groups.

Team Philippines “A” of Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit, Team Europe and Team Japan composed Group A while Team Philippines “B” of Corteza and Fil-Am Shanelle Loraine, Team Korea of Charlie Williams and Eunji Park and Team USA of Shane Van Boening and Amy Chen comprised Group B.

The top teams after a group round robin will dispute the title and the top prize of $6,000 on Thursday.