3-Cushion
ZEVENBERGEN – The Dutch title in 3-cushion, usually in the possession of Dick Jaspers, has fallen into the hands of one of his competitors for at least a year. Jean Paul de Bruijn (48) from Hulst won the championship in Zevenbergen, when he overcame Dave Christiani in a blood-and-guts final.
The player from Zeeland was a character winner who showed his joy only when the job was done. He jumped for joy after the final point, stuck his cue in the air and embraced his girlfriend Anita. ,,I dedicate this title to my father’’, he said during the ceremony, emotionally. ,,He has been one of my supporters all my life, but he cannot be here now because he is seriously ill.’’
The Masters tournament was closed with a final that was exciting rather than classy. Jean Paul de Bruijn did not deny that: ,,I have not played to the highest standard, all tournament, but I did put up a fight. It was a character win.’’ Both in the semi against Jean van Erp and in the final against Dave Christiani, the champ fought back and climbed out of deep hole. He came back from 20 – 4 against van Erp, and had the better finish against Christiani.
Experience may have been what set the oldest of the four semifinalists apart in the latter stages. Jean van Erp had recorded two victories in great style, but lost his footing when it mattered most. Dave Christiani too, in his first Masters final, could not handle the pressure.
Jean Paul de Bruijn (48), Jean van Erp (39), Barry van Beers (37) and Dave Christiani (33) had a golden opportunity to win the national 3-cushion title. Dick Jaspers, with sixteen masters titles in his bag, was defeated twice and sent home before the semifinal. The Dutch number two, Raimond Burgman, did not even survive the flight stage, which opened the door for a group of outsiders to compete for the title.
Jean Paul de Bruijn was no such outsider: the 1-cushion specialist won the title in 2007, in his own province in a final against van Erp. He was very geared up to strike again in Zevenbergen, but the peak form was just not there.
Glenn Hofman, one of the young contenders, did not survive the group. Barry van Beers did beat Dick Jaspers in a one-man show of a match, but lost his legs in the semifinal. Jean van Erp stopped scoring in his match against Jean Paul de Bruijn, at a crucial time, which brought Jean Paul de Bruijn and Dave Christiani face to face in the final battle.
The player from Limburg was trailing 18-6, recovered with a run of 8 just before the break and one of 7 right after (to lead 32-22), and a run of 10 looked to put him in the driving seat. His opponent had the better finish though, breaking his rivals rhythm with two time-outs and consistent scoring, when Christiani could only make two points in the final seven innings.
Jean Paul de Bruijn thinks this title can refuel his career. ,,I do not have my eye on the world ranking yet, where I have taken quite a fall these past years. But I am really happy with this title, which may also be my ticket to the World Championship.’’