Brianna Miller (USA) Foto: EPBF/AMM
In the first round of the girls division of the WPA World 9-Ball Championships, Brianna Miller (USA) defeated Kate Polovinchuk (UKR) with 7:5.
In the beginning the match seemed to be pretty one-sided. Miller played more focussed and solid and was able to gain a clear advantage over Polovinchuk. After 5 racks the score was 4:1 in favour of Miller. In the 6th rack, she even had to extend her lead to 5:1. Polovinchuk committed a foul and Miller got to the table with ball in hand and only 5 balls remaining on the table. Whether it was carelessness or pretension can only be guessed here; as a matter of fact, Miller ran out of positionfor the 7-ball and then missed it. Polovinchuk accepted the gift and turned the score to 4:2. This error from Miller was obviously exactly what Polovinchuk needed. She won the next two racks and tied the match at 4:4. Now the match turned into a thriller. Miller seemed to have lost her easiness but kind of got back on track with her performance. Polovinchuk was a better match now and the competition between the two got to a good quality level. In the 9th rack, Miller took the lead with 5:4, only to commit another slip in the next rack. Polovinchuk penalized her without showing any mercy and tied the match again to 5:5. Then, Polovinchuk broke the balls, made the 7-ball and missed a tough shot on the 1-ball. Hard to believe, but that was her last visit to the table in that match. Miller ran the rack and the next one in order to win the match 7:5.
Other notable results include Clinton Nair (RSA) winning 9:5 over Charles Guimont (CAN). Finn Eschment (GER) was able to beat Berk Mehmetcik (TNC) with 9:7. The only German player who lost his opening match was Jan-Henrik Wolf. He had to give in to teammate Raphael Wahl with 5:9.
The event is hosted by the European Governing Body for Pool, the European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) in conjunction with the WPA and organized by International Billiard Promotion (IBP). For further information and reference please go to the federation website www.wpapoolonline.com , follow us on twitter @EPBF_News or contact our press office.
