Semi-Final Results:
Joshua Filler 11-8 Jeff De Luna
Chang Yu-Lung 5-11 Wu Jiaqing
Joshua Filler will face Wu Jiaqing in the final of the partypoker US Open 9-Ball Championship at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Convention Center, Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
Filler came from behind against Jeff De Luna to book his place in the $50,000 final with an 11-8 victory, before Wu defeat Chang Yu-Lung 11-5 to join the German in the showpiece match of the tournament.
In the first semi-final, Filler took the opening rack but a dry break offered De Luna a chance and the Filipino look the next three for a 3-1 lead. Filler responded but again broke dry and from there ‘The Bull’ opened up a 5-2 advantage.
The World No.1, however, remained in touch and found the form he had shown throughout the tournament in the second half of the match. He didn’t lead again until he went ahead 8-7 and though De Luna replied at that stage, it would be the last rack he won as Filler moved to the hill and then to the final.
On completing the winning set, the German let out a victory cry and was then met in his corner by European partypoker Mosconi Cup captain Marcus Chamat. As World Champion and a US Open finalist, it now seems inevitable that Killer Filler will be back at Mandalay Bay in November.
“It is unbelievable. The start of the match was good for him, but I kept fighting and it came off, it feels amazing. I don’t seem nervous? But inside I can’t tell you how nervous I am. It is the most prestigious tournament in the world, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to be in the final.
“My break wasn’t as good as in the other matches so I will prepare before the final, but I am looking forward to it. When I lost in double elimination, I found the break as my weakness, so I worked on that and started playing better. “
Filler now faces Wu in the race-to-13 final. The World Cup of Pool winner fell 3-1 down to Chang in his semi-final, but a mistake by the Taiwanese star gave Wu the table and he won five consecutive racks for an 8-3 lead.
Chang looked to have found a way back into the match but having pulled the score back to 5-8 saw the cue ball hit the 6 and enter the middle pocket after he’d made the pink 4. From there, Wu regained control and quickly took the three racks required to win the match.
The final begins at 2.30pm local time in Las Vegas and will be broadcast in over 100 countries around the world. The winner will take home $50,000, the famous US Open green jacket and the newly-commissioned Barry Behrman trophy.