WE ARE DOWN to the final 16 players in the Dynamic Billiard Lasko Open as the second day’s play concluded at the Hotel Thermana in the central Slovakian town. From 217 starters, the field battled through rounds of double elimination matches before a final straight knock-out round of 32 determined tomorrow’s contenders for the first Euro Tour title of the year.
Play continues on Monday with the last 16 convening at 9.00 for the opening round of matches. Monday’s conclusion – the two semi-finals and the final – will be televised live in ten countries across Europe in a new development in 2022 for the Dynamic Billiard Euro Tour. More countries are sure to be added to the list over the coming months.
Young Serbian ace Aleksa Pecelj was the first man through to the round of 16 as he dispatched Ronni Regli (Switzerland) 9-5. Another young star, Poland’s Daniel Maciol followed him shortly after, defeating countryman Szymon Kural by 9-4.
It was a tremendous evening for the Polish contingent as Wojciech Szewczyk, Wiktor Zielinski and veteran Radoslaw Babica also gained wins to give Poland four advancing players.
The Spanish also had a great evening with three players through to the round of 16. European No.1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz enjoyed a comfortable evening, while Jose Delgado Hernandez and 2019 WPA World Junior Champion Jonas Souto also claimed victory.
Other top ranked players through include Dennis Grabe who came from behind to win on the hill over Chris Melling, Joshua Filler who won by a similar scoreline over Albanian Besar Spahiu and Niels Feijen who put paid to Ralf Souquet’s hopes as he led throughout on the main table.
The Dynamic Billiard Lasko Open is the first of six events in the 2022 Dynamic Billiard Euro Tour series and players battle for Tour ranking points, as well as world ranking points for the newly implemented systemoperated by Matchroom Sport.
Sara Rocha (POR)｜©EPBF
In the concurrent Women’s Predator Euro Tour, just eight players remain from the original starting line-up of 38 players. They get underway at 9.00 local time on Monday.
LAST 8
Oliwia ZALEWSKA v Natalia ZUBTSOVA
Melanie SÜßENGUTH v Line KJØRSVIK
Ana GRADISNIK v Hannan MEMIC
Amalia MATAS v Sara ROCHA
All the matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com
Results, live scoring and draw are available at www.epbf.com