The 2023 World Pool Masters draw has been revealed, and fans are eagerly anticipating the epic opening matches of the tournament. Defending champion Niels Feijen will face off against two-time champion Joshua Filler, while back-to-back champion Shane Van Boening will take on Fedor Gorst in what promises to be an intense competition.
The World Pool Masters is an annual professional pool tournament that brings together 16 of the best players from around the world to compete for the title of World Pool Masters Champion. The tournament is sanctioned by the World Pool Association and has been a fixture on the pool calendar since 1993.
Brief overview of the draw
The draw for the 2023 World Pool Masters was conducted recently, and it has thrown up some exciting match-ups. The opening matches of the tournament are particularly intriguing, with two-time champion Joshua Filler taking on defending champion Niels Feijen, and back-to-back champion Shane Van Boening facing off against Fedor Gorst.
Highlight of the opening matches: Filler vs Feijen and SVB vs Gorst
The opening matches of the 2023 World Pool Masters promise to be epic, with Filler and Feijen both vying for their third title, while Van Boening and Gorst will be looking to continue their recent success in the competition.
Format of the Tournament
16-player tournament
The 2023 World Pool Masters will feature a 16-player field, with players from around the world competing for the title.
New Race to format for the opening round
A new race-to format has been introduced for the opening round of the tournament. Players will compete in a race to six, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals.
Matchroom break box, hand-racking, and winner breaks in action
The tournament will also feature the Matchroom break box, which has been designed to reduce the likelihood of a soft break. Hand-racking will be used to ensure a consistent break, and winner breaks will be in effect throughout the competition.
Prize fund and winner’s purse
The 2023 World Pool Masters will have a total prize fund of $100,000, with the winner taking home a purse of $25,000.
Broadcast details and where to watch
The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and other territories. Fans can also watch the action live on Matchroom Pool’s official YouTube channel.
Round 1 Draw Analysis
Filler vs Feijen: Two-time champion meets defending champion
The opening match of the tournament sees Joshua Filler, a two-time World Pool Masters champion, take on defending champion Niels Feijen. This promises to be a classic match-up between two of the best players in the world.
SVB vs Gorst: Back-to-back champion faces tough challenge
In the second opening match, back-to-back champion Shane Van Boening takes on Fedor Gorst, who has been in impressive form in recent tournaments. This promises to be a tough challenge for Van Boening, who will need to be at his best to progress.
Other match-ups and notable players in the tournament
Other notable match-ups in the first round include Albin Ouschan vs Jayson Shaw, Alex Kazakis vs Dennis Orcollo, and Skyler Woodward vs Roberto Gomez. There are also a number of other top players in the tournament, including Darren Appleton, David Alcaide, and Jeffrey De Luna.
Brief analysis of each match and potential outcomes
Each of the first-round matches promises to be a thrilling encounter between two highly-skilled players.
Player Profiles
Joshua Filler
Joshua Filler is a 24-year-old German professional pool player. He is currently ranked world number one in the WPA rankings. Filler won the 2018 World Pool Masters, defeating David Alcaide 8–2 in the final. He has also won several other major pool tournaments, including the 2019 US Open, the 2020 World 9-Ball Championship, and the 2021 Diamond Las Vegas Open. Filler is known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to make difficult shots.
Niels Feijen
Niels Feijen is a 44-year-old Dutch professional pool player. He is a five-time European Straight Pool Champion and a three-time World Cup of Pool Champion. Feijen won the 2021 World Pool Masters, defeating Eklent Kaci 8–6 in the final. He has also won several other major pool tournaments throughout his career, including the 2014 WPA World 9-Ball Championship and the 2008 and 2009 US Open 10-Ball Championships. Feijen is known for his steady and consistent style of play.
Shane Van Boening
Shane Van Boening is a 38-year-old American professional pool player. He is a five-time US Open 9-Ball Champion and a four-time World Pool Masters Champion. Van Boening won the 2019 World Pool Masters, defeating Alex Pagulayan 8–2 in the final. He has also won several other major pool tournaments throughout his career, including the 2012 and 2013 WPA World 9-Ball Championships and the 2017 US Open 8-Ball Championship. Van Boening is known for his powerful break and his ability to make tough shots.
Fedor Gorst
Fedor Gorst is a 22-year-old Russian professional pool player. He is the reigning World 9-Ball Champion, having won the title in 2019. Gorst is also the reigning World Cup of Pool Champion, having won the title in 2021 with his partner Maksim Dudanets. He has won several other major pool tournaments throughout his career, including the 2018 Kremlin Cup and the 2018 China Open. Gorst is known for his precision and consistency in shot-making.
Other notable players in the tournament
Other notable players in the 2023 World Pool Masters include defending US Open 9-Ball Champion Carlo Biado, 2017 World Pool Masters Champion David Alcaide, and 2015 World 9-Ball Champion Ko Pin-yi. These players, along with several others, are expected to provide tough competition for the favorites and could potentially make deep runs in the tournament.
Conclusion
The 2023 World Pool Masters promises to be an exciting tournament with some of the world’s best pool players battling it out for the title. The draw has revealed some highly anticipated opening matches, with defending champion Niels Feijen set to face two-time champion Joshua Filler, while back-to-back champion Shane Van Boening will take on rising star Fedor Gorst.
Potential storylines to follow throughout the tournament
As the tournament progresses, there are several storylines to follow. Will Filler be able to make it a hat-trick of titles, or will Feijen successfully defend his crown? Can Van Boening continue his dominant form and secure his third consecutive title, or will Gorst upset the odds and claim his first major title? Other notable players in the tournament such as Alex Kazakis, Jayson Shaw, and Albin Ouschan could also make a run for the title.
Final thoughts and predictions for the 2023 World Pool Masters.
With the new race-to format, Matchroom break box, hand-racking, and winner breaks in action, the 2023 World Pool Masters is set to be a fascinating event. While it’s difficult to predict the outcome of any tournament, the opening matches are sure to set the tone for the rest of the event. It will be interesting to see who emerges as the champion and if any new stars rise to prominence during the tournament. Fans of pool won’t want to miss this exciting event.
