With her new edgier look, deadly stroke and natural confidence, Kelly Fisher beat Karen Corr 7-4 Sunday in the finals of the 2006 WPBA San Diego Classic held at the Viejas Casino in Alpine, California. This is the second year in a row Fisher won this event. Initially the match appeared to be all Corr, with the Irish Invader taking a quick 3-0 lead. However in the fourth rack, Corr made an error which allowed Fisher the opening she needed to take control of the table.
Methodically and conservatively Fisher worked her way to a 3-3 tie then her more characteristic fast and confident style of play emerged. In rack 7 it was Fisher who made the error this time which allowed Corr to score another game and bring the match to 4-3. However Corr appeared to be hesitant and not fully in stoke. Not only did Fisher seem more confident in the match, but the break gods were also on her side. With the alternating break format which the WPBA adopted, it was Fisher next up to break and with a snap and a little help from a ricocheting 7-ball the nine slowly plopped into the left corner pocket to tie the match 4-4.
In response, the next rack Corr saw her break open the table but not leave a great opening shot. Again she had to play strategically instead of being able to run out. Now it was a brief safety game until Fisher caught a shot on the one and ran out to take a 5-4 lead. Next in rack ten was a case of deja-vu when Fisher again made the nine on the break. The audience gasped then applauded, Fisher shrugged her shoulders, smiled and then nodded in sympathy to Corr, and Corr looked stunned.
While still in shock over the two nine ball breaks in a row by Fisher, Corr broke in game 11, and then missed a cut shot to a side pocket, which allowed Fisher back to the table to complete a somewhat routine 5-ball run to seal the first place finish. Fisher, a six time world snooker champion is currently ranked 3rd in the United States behind Corr and Allison Fisher.
In addition to the tournament, the WPBA celebrated their 10 year anniversary hosting the event at the Viejas Casino and awarded a plaque to the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in appreciation for their wonderful support.
