With afternoon matches complete at the 2004 888.com World Pool League, Niels Feijen has pulled even with Francisco Bustamante and they both sit at the top of the standings.
Bustamante remained unbeaten on Saturday but was forced to settle with a 5-5 draw against reigning World 9-Ball Champion Alex Pagulayan. Pagulayan held a 5-3 lead in the match, but Bustamante came back to win the last two matches and earn the tie.
Feijen, on the other hand, scored a 6-4 win over Thomas Engert to pull even with Bustamante at 5 points each. Feijen won the fifth rack on Engert's break and pulled ahead 3-2. At 5-3 Engert won a game to get back to within one rack, but a poor safety attempt by Engert in the last rack was all the opportunity Feijen needed.
In the other Saturday afternoon match, Steve Davis defeated Rodney Morris 6-4. Morris led the match 4-3, but Davis' stifling safety play was the difference in this one as Davis won the final three racks. The loss to Davis leaves Morris, the defending champion, without a win and in danger of not making the semi-final rounds.
The event continues Saturday evening and Sunday with each player taking on the other five players in 10 game matches. After the round robin phase is complete, the top four players will play a single elimination tournament with the final winner receiving $20,000 in prize money.
Results After Nine Matches
| Plyd | Won | Drwn | Lost | For | Away | Pts | +/- | ||
| 1 | Francisco Bustamante | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 13 | 5 | +4 |
| 2 | Niels Feijen | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 13 | 5 | +4 |
| 3 | Steve Davis | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Alex Pagulayan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Thomas Engert | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 17 | 1 | -4 |
| 6 | Rodney Morris | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 17 | 1 | -4 |
Photo courtesy of Mitch Heydt
