3-Cushion
ANDERNOS - The hunt for Marco Zanetti, leader after the first day in the Kozoom Challenge with a two-set margin, did not in the end result in prospects for the final day. Two set wins for Antonio Montes and two sets for Arnim Kahofer were not enough to turn it into a real match. The Italian triumphed in four of eight sets, ended the day with two final victories and with all his routine should not give away that margin (9-5-2) anymore.
The two chasers of the leader lacked the munition for a strong final shot in the closing sessions. In the middle part of the second day, Montes and Kahofer gave the impression that they could bring back some of the tension. The irritated Zanetti, who was arguing about the music, showed signs of weakening, but recovered in the last two sets. That allowed him to increase his lead over runner-up Montes from 7-5 to a seemingly safe 9-5. The maestro was superior, vulnerable, lost his focus for a while, but was more cool-headed at the decisive moment than his two rivals.
The match was nicely balanced until those important last few rounds. Zanetti won the first two sets 10-3-3 (closing set 8) and 10-8-1, Montes counter-attacked (10-6-0), Kahofer came up with his first set win (10-7-6), Montes won his second of the day and Kahofer was once again successful within sight of the finish (10-7-2).
The finishing touch however was not forthcoming. Two last hits by Zanetti broke the resistance for the final day: Montes came closest with 10-6 in the penultimate set, Kahofer with 10-7 in the final set. Zanetti must have a very bad day tomorrow (Thursday) to lose his leading position.
The ranking after two days:
1 Marco Zanetti 9-130-71-1,831-8
2 Antonio Montes 5-93-70-1,329-9
3 Arnim Kahofer 2-84-69-1,217-6.
Marco Zanetti in full focus for the last wins of the day
Arnim Kahofer, finally two wins and a better second day