The finals of the 3rd U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship was between two highly decorated professionals from both sides of the Atlantic. After 6 days the field of 96 player, representing 10 countries, whittled down to U.S. favorite Shane Van Boening and Spain's David Alcaide. Held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino and produced by CueSports International (CSI), in front of an enthusiastic crowd, Van Boening was crowned the 2011 champion winning 11-6.
Starting the day four players returned for day six of the event. The first match featured Spain's David Alcaide versus relatively unknown player, Dennis Haar from Terre Haute, Indiana. This was Haar's first professional 10-ball tournament and his best finish in any big event. Haar cleared a path to the final four by way of defeating top players James Baraks, Mitch Ellerman, Mike Dechaine, and Jonathan Pinegar. Unfortunately, his efforts fell short against Alcaide who jumped ahead at 6-5. Haar jumped and hung a 1-ball for Alcaide to get on the hill. At 7-5, Haar missed a 4-7 combination that would cost him the match.
In the winner side finals match between Van Boening and Corey Deuel, both players appeared to be "trading errors," said TAR commentators. They exchanged racks until the score was 4-4 when Deuel hooked himself on the 7-ball. Deuel would win one more game to make it 5-4 before Van Boening took the next four, breaking and running on hill to win 8-5. Deuel and Alcaide would meet next for the semi-finals match, race to 9, win by two games.
In this match, Alcaide jumped to a quick 4-1 lead and appeared to be playing fast and loose. The gentlemen exchanged some defensive maneuvers over the next few racks until the score was tied 4-4. In an unbelievable turn of events, Deuel missed the 1-ball with ball in hand allowing Alcaide to take that game and the next one. Both players continued to struggle, exchanging racks until Alcaide took the set 9-6.
The final match was a race to 11, win by two games. Van Boening entered the finals undefeated. 2011 has been another banner year for Van Boening as he also recently ran over the competition at the Derby City Classic taking first in the One Pocket, second in 9-Ball and the Master of the Table honors in addition to taking 9th in the World 8-Ball Championship. Alcaide, long considered the top professional player in Spain, recently finished 3rd in the World 8-Ball Championship, 9th in the Beijing Open Men's Division and was the first player from Spain to represent Team Europe in the Mosconi Cup. Alcaide came through the one loss side winning 7 matches in a row after a 3rd round loss to Scott Frost.
The nerves ran high into the finals between Van Boening and Alcaide. Alcaide took a quick 5-1 lead when a dry break would cost him two games. At 5-3, Van Boening returned the favor with a dry break but Alcaide was unable to capitalize. He missed a 6 ball that allowed Van Boening to close the gap and take the lead. In the middle section of the match, the spectators were treated to several safety battle games. However Van Boening prevailed and won seven games in a row to pull ahead 8-5 when Alcaide finally seized his opportunity with a tricky 6-10 combo billiard from the 3-ball. That would be the final game he would win. Van Boening turned it into high gear and kicked in the 4-ball at 10-6 followed by a safety on the 5-ball which led to ball in hand and the run out.
The 3rd U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship was sponsored by Mueller Recreational Products, McDermott Cues, Diamond Billiard Products, Simonis, Aramith, the Magic Rack, Billiards Digest and BreakRAK with direction by CSI Director of Rules and Referees Bill Stock with Ken Shuman from California and John Leyman from New York. The Action Report (TAR) live streamed the entire 6 days of the event with additional expert assistance by the team from Run Out Media.
CueSports International is dedicated to creating more choices for all players. CSI is the parent company of the BCA Pool League and the USA Pool League. CSI also produces independent events such as the U.S. Bar Table Championships, the Jay Swanson Memorial, the U.S. Open One Pocket Championship and the U.S. Open 10-Ball Championship. Visit www.playcsipool.com, www.playbca.com and www.playusapool.com for more information about CSI and its divisions.
