3-Cushion
BURSA - The first semi-final of the World Cup in Bursa, between the two Belgians Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx, turned out into a dynamic and exciting fight. Frédéric Caudron took the win after a flying start: 40-36 in 15 innings. The comeback of Merckx in the match was just too late to finish it off with a huge stunt.
The two compatriots, team mates in the Belgian league and both sponsored by Kimchy, entertained the crowd at the Ataturk center with an incredible show in the first ten innings. Caudron ran a twelve from the break and another fifteen in the sixth inning to a 31-3 lead at the break.
But even that score didn't seal the deal.
Eddy Merckx answered with a quick attack after the break, came back to 31-12 with nine, followed by fourteen in the tenth inning to 38-35. The Bursa miracle was in the making.
But in the final five innings, the defence ruled and Caudron eventually scored his last carom over seven cushions: 40-36. Merckx went to break to equalize with four, bust missed from the spots.
The next semi-final is at 13.00 Turkish time between Dick Jaspers and Pedro Piedrabuena.
Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx before the start of their match
Formidable comeback, no win for Eddy Merckx
Frédéric Caudron, first finalist in the Bursa World Cup