Three more matches took place at the 2018 World Cup of Pool at the Luwan Arena, Huangpu District in Shanghai, and it was China A who delighted a packed but nervous crowd as they stole a 7-6 win over plucky Estonia.
In the other two matches both Austria and Holland won through to the last eight where they will meet.
The $250,000 tournament originated in 2006 and has since moved around the world before touching down in Shanghai. The World Cup features 32 pairs from across the globe including two from host nation China. Running from 15th to 20th May, the event is on live TV in over 100 countries around the world.
Team China A – Liu Haitao and Wu Jiaqing
In the final first round match, China A scraped into the second round in the tournament’s first hill-hill thriller as they overcame the Estonian pair of Dennis Grabe and Mark Magi at the death. It was a thrilling match and it was Magi’s inexperience at the close which saw fortunes change.
Estonia held the lead throughout and were never behind until the 13th and final rack had concluded but it was Wu Jiaqing and Liu Haitao who took it.
Commented Liu, “It was the first match so we felt really nervous but later on we made some adjustments so hopefully next match we will play better.”
Wu felt similarly; “We struggled with the break so we will work on that. We missed the 7 in the first rack so we were chasing all the way through the match. Hopefully we will get better in the next round.”
Team Austria – Mario He and Albin Ouschan
Defending champs Austria – Mario He and Albin Ouschan – enjoyed a ding-dong battle with Poland as they overcame a large deficit to snatch victory. The Polish pair of Mateusz Sniegocki and Wiktor Zielinski held leads at 3-1 and then 5-2 as they looked big favourites for the win. However, Austria dug in and pulled themselves out the mud to book a quarter-final berth.
“We could have gone 2-0 up but they got pretty lucky at 1-0 and then they ran out the next two racks and we were down again. Like in the first match, we knew to stay cool and if we get the chance we take it,” said Ouschan.
“We will play Holland next, a big-name team who have played really well. It will be an interesting match.”
Team Holland – Marc Bijsterbosch and Niels Feijen
In the final match of the session, the aforementioned Holland rode their luck to dispose of Scotland 7-2 and book a quarter-final match with Austria.
Commented Feijen, “We waited all day long for the final match and there was some pressure on us. We were breaking really well and we tried to stay positive but we can play a lot better.”
“It was one of those matches – I feel bad for Scotland as we could have gotten punished. I’m glad to get it over with and onto the next match.”
Round One
China A (2) 7-6 Estonia
Round Two
Austria 7-6 Poland
Holland 7-2 Scotland
Play continues on Friday afternoon with three more second round matches.
Germany v China B
England v Philippines
Chinese Taipei v Greece
2018 World Cup of Pool sponsored by Iwan Simonis who supply the Official Cloth; the Official Balls are Super Aramith by Saluc, and Predator is the Official Cue of the event.