3-Cushion
WROCLAW - The applause in the Polish billiard arena was for the best man of the day. Dick Jaspers demonstrated on the third day at the World Games in Wroclaw the best and most wonderful three cushion on world level. The Dutchman used Eddy Leppens as the unwilling target in the quarterfinals and ran out to 28-1 after four innings (4-5-14-5). The final score was rather mild for the Belgian, becuause he could come closer in the score in a desperate attempt: 40-24 in 12 innings.
Dick Jaspers, who won one gold medal and two sliver in the five times that three cushion was part of the World Games, is amongst the main contenders after his performance. The live images showed an eager, technically perfect Dutchman at the start of the match. Eddy Leppens missed three times (1, 0, 0, 0) and was severely punished, despite a pretty good 2 average at the end for the Belgian. Jaspers missed twice after his start with 28 in 4, when the storm died down, but then reached the finish with 3-1-3-2 for a finish in twelve. Leppens could close the gap to 16 points with 8 and 6 runs.
Only Marco Zanetti could perform in the shadow of Jaspers in the quarterfinals. The title defender played a solid match and disturbed the dreams of the second American this day, Pedro Piedrabuena (40-23). Hugo Patino had already been slaughtered by Dani Sánchez (40-32 in 29) in the first session.
The fourth half finalist is the more or less surprising Sameh Sidhom. The Egyptian and Vietnamese Quyet Chien Tran played a mediocre match, decided in the final sprint in favor of Sidhom: 40-36 in 35.
The semi-finals on Saturday are:
10.00: Sánchez-Sidhom
12.30: Jaspers-Zanetti.
Dani Sánchez, preparing for the match against Hugo Patino
Marco Zanetti, win over Piedrabuena, now facing Dick Jaspers in the semi-finals