Kristina Zlateva (BUL) Foto: EPBF/DK
Kristina Zlateva (BUL) terminated Laetitia Dos Santos (FRA) in the 8-ball competition with 6:1.
What seemed to become a tight match evolved into a onesided disaster for the French player. Only in the beginning, the match looked even between the two contestants. They both seemed to be a bit nervous and played very slow. After half an hour into the match, the score was only 1:1. In the 3rd rack, Dos Santos had an easy lineup for the 8-ball but missed it. She went to her chair and seemed to be very angry. Zlateva benefitted from Dos Santos' mistake and ran the rack plus another rack in order to take a 3:1 lead. After that, Zlateva took her time-out. The match was still going very slowpaced. No wonder that the tournament directors decided to have a shot clock introduced into the match at a score of 4:1 for Zlateva. At that time, Das Santos took her time-out. When she came back, she broke dry and Zlateva, who became 9th in last year's World Championships for juniors, missed a ball since she seemed to be uncomfortable with the shot-clock on the match. In that situation, Dos Santos tried to take control over the match again and left a tough shot for Zlateva. The Bulgarian fired that ball in with a jump shot and had perfect position for the 8-ball. She pocketed the 8-ball and went on the hill, leading 5:1. Zlateva, who is only 18 years of age, broke the balls and left an open table for Dos Santos. Last chance for the French lady. She ended up in an awkward situation where she was only able to play the second last ball of her group towards a rail and left a tough shot for Zlateva. Kristina Zlateva ran the rack again and deservedly won the match with 6:1. She will now be entering the single elimination stage of the 8-ball while Dos Santos will have to wait for the 9-ball competition in order to be able to play again.
Other notable results this morning include Nick van den Berg (NED) ousting Marcus Chamat (SWE) after a tough fight with 8:7.
Top favourite player in the women's division, Jasmin Ouschan (AUT), who unexpectedly found herself on the loser's side after the lost to Amalia Matas (ESP) last night, just made it to the single elimination stage by winning with 6:5 over brave Silvia Gaudino (ITA). Ouschan will have to deal with Sarah Roche (POR) in the round of the best 32 women.
In the wheelchair division, Roy Kimberley (GBR) handed a bitter defeat to Kurt Deklerck (BEL), defeating him with 5:1.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.epconline.eu , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.
