Sixteen Remain in US Open as Defending Champion Crashes Out

Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz

Defending US Open Pool champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz has been knocked out of the tournament by Poland’s Daniel Maciol at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City – live on DAZN in the United States and broadcasters around the world.

Having edged past the Great Dane Mickey Krause thanks to a fluke at hill-hill, it looked like FSR’s luck was in, however the World Champion and current WNT #1 faced a buoyant Maciol, who inflicted a gigantic performance for a 10-5 victory and a place in the last 16.

Five-time US Open champion and pre-tournament bookies favourite Shane Van Boening was beaten on the main table in front of an adoring home crowd, with Chinese Taipei’s Chang Jung-Lin recording a 10-7 win over the South Dakota Kid.

That left the hopes of the US on the shoulders of Skyler Woodward, the sole remaining American in the competition. Having trailed the dangerous Japanese star Naoyuki Oi 6-3, the crowd roared as Sky overturned the scoreline for a 10-7 with six consecutive racks.

Ralf Souquet continued to roll back the years on the outside tables. Two-time World Champion Albin Ouschan fell victim to the Kaiser, a comprehensive 10-5 victory before the same scoreline followed against Chris Reinhold to see the veteran German into the last 16.

Ko Ping Chung was the first name through to the last 16 after beating Filipino Jeff De Luna 10-3 on the main table. Brother Ko Pin Yi, the current World Pool Masters winner, couldn’t follow suit, heading home at the hands of Phuong Nam Pham in the last 64. The Vietnamese himself then beaten by Aleksa Pecelj, who matches his deepest run at a Matchroom major event following a last 16 run at the 2023 World Pool Championship.

European Open champion David Alcaide booked his place in Friday’s action with a dominant 10-3 display over Peruvian Gerson Martinez Boza, with eyes fully focussed on the next automatic spot for Team Europe at the Mosconi Cup – which will be announced following the conclusion of the US Open World Championship.

Jayson Shaw, Joshua Filler, Fedor Gorst, Mario He, Wiktor Zielinski and Max Lechner will be following Alcaide’s mission of the Mosconi, with all featuring in a strong European contingent battling out across the Atlantic.

FINAL 16 CONFIRMED

Fedor Gorst, Carlo Biado, Mario He, Aloysius Yapp, Ralf Souquet, Aleksa Pecelj, Jayson Shaw, Skyler Woodward, Joshua Filler, Ko Ping Chung, Daniel Maciol, Robbie Capito, David Alcaide, Wiktor Zielinski, Max Lechner, Miguel Silva

DATES, SESSION TIMES, VENUE

All times are local (EDT)

29th September – 10 am – 2:30 pm / 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm

30th September – 10 am – 2:30 pm / 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

BRACKET, MATCH SCHEDULE AND LIVE SCORES

Check out the Updated Bracket, Bracket, and Live Scoring here

WHERE TO WATCH

Fans in territories not listed below can watch Day 4 (September 28th) on the Matchroom Pool and Multi Sport YouTube channels as well as on Matchroom.Live

Days 5-6 only (29-30th September) – Last 16 to Winner on the below broadcasters

Friday 29th September – 10:00 am to 2:30 pm / 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday, 30th September August – 10:00 am to 2:30 pm / 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Sky Sports Arena – United Kingdom and Ireland
DAZN – USA, Brazil & Spain
Viaplay – Baltics, Scandinavia, Poland, Netherlands
Nova – Czech Republic, Slovakia
Sportklub – Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia
TAP – Philippines
VCT – Vietnam
Starhub – Singapore
Supersport – South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa
AMC – Hungary
Fox Sports – Australia
Reddentes – Indonesia & Chinese Taipei
Matchroom.Live – Rest of the World
Matchroom Pool and Multi Sport YouTube – Rest of the World