CHRIS MELLING now looks hard to back against for a berth on the 2011 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup European side as he now leads the pack by a huge 36 point margin following last weekend's German Open. With just two events to go it would take a set of miracle results to displace the likeable Yorkshireman, who is having the season of his life.
A quarter-final finish at the weekend on the Euro Tour cemented Melling's position at the top of the pack as many of the contenders fell by the wayside. Eventual tournament winner Dimitri Jungo of Switzerland bagged 20 points but was too far down the list for it to have a significant impact.
However, behind Melling there are four players within five points of each other, all chasing the other two automatic spots. Darren Appleton, Nick Van Den Berg, Niels Feijen and Ralf Souquet are all in contention and with 26 Mosconi Cup appearances between them, there is all to play for with two events remaining.
Commented Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn, "Full credit to Chris Melling who has completely dominated this year's rankings. He will be chomping at the bit to take his place in Vegas and I'm sure will be a threat to the Americans throughout.
"There is an awful lot at stake for the other players contending, but whoever makes the final five, the Europeans will be taking bags of Mosconi Cup experience to Las Vegas."
There are now two events left on the European Mosconi Cup ranking; the Hungarian Open (29 September to 1 October) and the US Open 9 Ball Championship – 17-22 October.
