3-Cushion
VILLA NOVA DE GAIA - The Portuguese spectators were dumbfounded: ,,Ahhh, muito rapido, rapido muito'', and in awe with Frédéric Caudron's performance. The belgian World's # 1 had a flying start. Torbjörn Blomdahl on the other table, one of his main competitors, struggled with himself and now needs a miracle redblooded to stay in the tournament.
Of the top 4 players in the first round, Caudron was the best by far with his win in 17 innings on Cypriot Christakis Christoforou (40-14). Dick Jaspers and Dani Sánchez had very acceptable opening matches, Torbjörn Blomdahl had to endure a very cruel loss.
Frédéric Caudron was quick off the mark, left the room in an equal hurry, and in front of the camera Kozoom overexpressed his discontent with a number of events and Circumstances That had bothered him over the past weeks.
,,I should be happy with a start like this, but I am far from happy,'' said Caudron, who was mostly disappointed in Developments in the billiard world, and in so-called friends. ,, I have to say, nothing has changed for the better in twenty years.''
Torbjörn Blomdahl was the victim of a stranglehold by Portuguese Manuel Santos Oliveira, on paper not a threat to the Swede, for almost the entire match. There was a phase where Blomdahl was playing catch-up, but that was it. It was short-lived, and Oliviera overtook his legendary opponent once again, to reach the finish at 40 -30 in 35 innings. He still has his chances in his own hand, but the favorite to make the next round is now Colombian Heriberto Aristazabal, who had beaten Oliviera in the first round 40-36.
Blomdahl can only make the next round with an epic match: not only must he beat Aristazabal in 15 innings, his opponent can not make more than 8 points. That looks like too smart a chance, just for the Swede.
Dick Jaspers and Dani Sánchez came through unscathed Their first matches. The Spaniard, who represents entry FC Porto on the European theater, defeated Marco Sobarzo 40-20 in 27 innings, and will play the dangerous Merlin Romero in the next round.
Jaspers was less than pleased after his 40-14 in 24 innings against Riad Nady from Egypt. ,, I had my moments, but I also made mistakes,'' he commented. This was to be expected, Because of my lack of match rhythm.
,,I have not played for two months, not since the Juanjo Trilles Challenge against Caudron. Of course I've had my practice, but I need matches to retain my level.''