3-Cushion
ZUNDERT - The skies over Brabant will light up. Or, as master of ceremonies Jan van Kerkoerle announced after Barry van Beers had advanced to the semifinals of the Christmas tournament and Dave Christiani had eliminated Turkish champion Tayfun Tasdemir: ,,They are going to raise the roof tomorrow.'' As Jean Paul de Bruijn later beat Jef Philipoom, there are three Dutchmen in the semifinals tomorrow, for the first time in the history of the tournament, and they face one illustrious opponent: Frédéric Caudron.
The battle of the giants between Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx was - of course - the high point of the Sunday evening. The two Belgians meet often, and wins go back and forth. For that second quarter final, many billiard connoisseurs had made the trip to Biljartcentrum Den Hoek. Those who came got value for money. The match was a thing of beauty, with world champion Caudron in charge from the get-go: the nine-time winner of the X-mas tournament put pressure on Merckx with an opening run of twelve, added a seven to lead 20-1 in 3, and seemed on his way to make it an exhibition match.
Merckx clawed his way back into it as only he can, with runs that made it 20-19 in 6. An eight by Caudron made it 37-21 and later 38-32 in 13 innings, but in the latest stages it was again Caudron to accelerate: 50-38, Merckx adding four points in the equalizer to end matters at 50-42 in 18. The winner, who defends his title and is up for his tenth victory in Zundert, will face Dave Christiani in the semi tomorrow. The man from Limburg has been troubled by a shoulder injury for months, but his treatment has put him on a quick path to recovery. His victory over Tayfun Tasdemir, a finalist in the Hurghada world cup earlier this month, was proof of his mercurial, but undeniable talents.
,,It almost went wrong in the end'', admitted Christiani afterwards, ,,because with the win at arm's length, I miscued and Tasdemir punished me with a run of ten.'' The Turk was way back (40-27 after Christiani had run an eight), but came back with a ten. Christiani, under severe pressure, made his last six to finish first. Tasdemir needed four to equalize, but what he did yesterday against Leppens (make two for a draw), he could not do today. With two points to go, he missed.
Barry van Beers is in the semifinal for the first time in his career, after he had beaten his own front man in the league (Roland Forthomme) in front of his home crowd.
The 37-year old Dutchman, one of the few in this field who has a fulltime job (at Philips) stunned his opponent, six years his senior, with a rocket start: nine off the spots. He kept that lead intact the entire match, with useful runs and solid play. His closing was impressive: a six and a five to finish: 50-27 in 21 innings. ,,This makes the year, which was the best in my career already, even better'', said the man from Brabant with a smile. The reason for his progress, the short matches (50 in 15 recently) and high runs (an 18) in this year.
,,I think it has to do with me having a steady job now, which gives my life structure. But I have also made some technical changes in my game, I focus more on position and speed control, which is rewarded in higher runs.''
Jean Paul de Bruijn and Jef Philipoom went neck-and-neck to the finish. The man from Zeeland turned 17-17 into 30-19 but saw his opponent fight for every point and not lose touch. In the last innings though, a few unnecessary misses cost him dearly. De Bruijn had created a winning margin, and finished at 50-43 in 29 innings. Tomorrow, he will face Barry van Beers in the semifinal.
Tomorrow's matches are (12.00 uur):
Barry van Beers-Jean Paul de Bruijn
Dave Christiani-Frédéric Caudron.