3-Cushion
LIMA - The Belgians have Philip Gilbert as a sprinter in the Tour de France, they were for years a leading country in the women's tennis with Kim Clijsters and Justin Hénin and in three-cushion Frédéric Caudron is unmatched due to his attractive style of playing. He is the Lucky Luke of the billiard, the man who shoots (strokes) faster than his shadow. Even Torbjörn Blomdahl, another whirlwind, couldn't follow the inimitable Caudron in the second eighth-final round, never follow.
The Belgian won in a record speed (one hour and ten minutes) 3-0 in sets (15-9/5, 15-8/2, 15-7/5), finished one inning too much for an average of four, after he had looked for his last carom (a bankshot) for the first time in this match at the clock.
Torbjörn Blomdahl, who did everything what was in his force and was really not to blame. The Swede finished his match with an average of 2.300, played a strong game despite of everything, but he met an opponent who seemed again to come from another planet.
He surpassed all other matches in speed: Dick Jaspers was a good half hour later to the finish in his match against Jung Han Heo, which he won 15-13 (8), 15-10 (8) and 15-2 (5). The Dutchman so far can be seen as the biggest competitor for Caudron. The two top players meet each other in the next round.
Dani Sánchez and Martin Horn played a exciting match with changing opportunities. The first punctures were in each set for the Spaniard, who won the first and third set (15-6, 15-1), the German put the match back in balance twice with sets of 15-4 and 15-2.
In the man-to-man battle Sánchez took a lead in the fifth set (6-0), broke away to 14-5, missed twice and decided the match at 15-8 in 12 innings.
Eddy Leppens was demolished after a 2-0 lead in sets against Jeremy Bury in a marathon battle that dragged on very slowly to the finish. In the final set, the Frenchman grabbed the win 15-13. He plays in the quarterfinal against Dani Sanchez.