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Eklent Kaçi and Ko Pin Yi battle through to 2023 World Pool Masters semis in thrilling clashes

In what can only be described as an intense and thrilling day of pool action, Eklent Kaçi and Ko Pin Yi have battled their way through to the 2023 World Pool Masters semifinals.

The quarterfinals of the tournament saw some of the world’s best players go head-to-head in a series of closely contested matches. However, it was Kaçi and Yi who stood out from the pack with their impressive performances.

Kaçi, the 2021 US Open champion, faced off against Spain’s Francisco Sanchez Ruiz in what turned out to be a nail-biting encounter. Despite falling behind early on, Kaçi rallied to secure a 7-5 victory and book his place in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Ko Pin Yi, the reigning World 9-Ball champion, faced a stern test against England’s Chris Melling. The two players went toe-to-toe in a tense match that saw Ko come out on top with a 7-6 victory.

With their victories secured, Kaçi and Yi will now face each other in the semifinals. It promises to be a fascinating encounter between two of the most talented and exciting players in the world of pool.

Kaçi, who hails from Albania, is known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to dominate opponents. He will be looking to carry that form into the match against Yi and secure his place in the final.

Meanwhile, Yi, who represents Chinese Taipei, is renowned for his precision and tactical nous. He will be looking to use his considerable experience and skill to overcome Kaçi and secure his own place in the final.

Whatever happens, fans of pool are in for a treat as these two incredible players go head-to-head. With the stakes high and the tension palpable, this promises to be a semifinal match for the ages.

The 2023 World Pool Masters is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and memorable tournaments in recent memory. With Kaçi and Yi leading the charge, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the event.

Niels Feijen and James Aranas Advance to Semi-Finals of 2023 World Pool Masters

Niels Feijen of the Netherlands and James Aranas of the Philippines have advanced to the semi-finals of the 2023 World Pool Masters. The prestigious event is being held at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London and has attracted some of the best pool players from around the world.

Feijen, a former world champion, secured his spot in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 8-6 victory over Spain’s David Alcaide. The Dutchman showed great composure and skill under pressure to overcome Alcaide, who was playing some outstanding pool himself.

Aranas, on the other hand, produced a dominant performance to defeat Germany’s Joshua Filler 8-3. The Filipino was in scintillating form, potting balls from all angles and leaving Filler with very few chances to mount a comeback.

Feijen and Aranas will now face off in what promises to be an enthralling semi-final matchup. Feijen, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, will be looking to add another World Pool Masters title to his already impressive resume. Aranas, on the other hand, is a rising star in the world of pool and will be eager to cause an upset and reach the final.

The other semi-final will feature the USA’s Shane Van Boening and Taiwan’s Chang Jung-Lin. Van Boening defeated Austria’s Albin Ouschan 8-5 to book his place in the last four, while Chang overcame China’s Wu Jiaqing 8-6 in a thrilling encounter.

The World Pool Masters is one of the most prestigious events on the pool calendar, and the quality of play on display has been nothing short of exceptional. Fans of the sport have been treated to some outstanding matches, and the semi-finals promise to be just as entertaining.

The tournament is being broadcast around the world, allowing fans to watch the action unfold live. Pool enthusiasts can also follow the scores and updates on social media and various online platforms.

The winners of the semi-finals will progress to the final, where they will battle it out for the title of World Pool Masters champion and a share of the $100,000 prize money. The final promises to be a nail-biting affair, with the best players in the world vying for glory on the biggest stage.

Overall, the 2023 World Pool Masters has been a resounding success, showcasing the very best of pool and providing fans with some unforgettable moments. As the tournament enters its final stages, the excitement and anticipation continue to build, and fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the crowning of a new champion.

World No.1 Sanchez Ruiz Stunned in Shock Defeat at World Pool Masters 2023 Opening Round

World No.1 pool player Francisco Sanchez Ruiz suffered a surprise exit in the opening round of the 2023 World Pool Masters in Brentwood, Essex. James Aranas, a wild card entry, defeated the Spanish player in a closely contested match, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and other broadcasters worldwide.

Sanchez Ruiz had high hopes of bettering his previous best performance of reaching the quarter-finals. However, Aranas proved to be a tough opponent, taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout the game. Despite a valiant effort from Sanchez Ruiz, who pulled off a three-pack to hit the front at 6-5, Aranas remained composed and sealed the win with two break and runs at 7-7.

Reflecting on his victory, Aranas said, “I felt so nervous, but I knew I had to fight. I was shaking early on. I calmed myself down, and I knew with a good layout, I was capable of getting out.”

Aranas will now face Wiktor Zielinski in the next round after the Polish player defeated China’s debutant Zheng Xiao Huai in a closely fought contest. Both players struggled to find their break, and the 4-inch pockets punished them with Zheng making no fewer than six fouls during the match. Despite a late resurgence from Zheng, Zielinski closed out the game with his experience in the Matchroom arena.

The final match of the afternoon featured two former Mosconi Cup teammates, Eklent Kaci and Albin Ouschan, battling it out for a place in the quarter-finals. Kaci, an Albanian player, set the early pace, racing to a 6-2 lead. However, Ouschan, an Austrian player, ran five racks on Kaci to take the lead for the first time at 7-6. Kaci then seized his moment to reach the hill, and a brief safety battle off the break in the final rack secured his victory.

The World Pool Masters, which returned to the UK for the first time since 2015, features a field of 16 players, with 14 of the 16 automatically earning their place from the World Nineball Tour Rankings, and two wild cards completing the field. Round 1 matches are Race to 9, with quarter and semi-final encounters Race to 11 before the final stretches to a Race to 13 for the first time. The prize fund for the event has been bolstered to $125,000, with the winner taking home $40,000.

Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Spain, Italy, and Brazil, as well as on Viaplay in the Netherlands, Poland, Scandinavia, and the Baltics. If no broadcaster is available in your country, fans can watch the action on Matchroom.Live. See where to watch in your country on the official website.

Although Sanchez Ruiz’s defeat was a shock, it highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, where any player can defeat their opponent on their day. The World Pool Masters promises to be an exciting tournament with many talented players vying for the coveted title.

World’s top pool players face off in quarter-finals as 2023 World Pool Masters heats up

The 2023 World Pool Masters is heating up as the world’s top pool players face off in the quarter-finals. After a thrilling opening round, only eight players remain in the tournament, with each vying for a shot at the coveted title.

Defending champion Alexander Kazakis was unable to repeat his magic from 2021, as he fell to a determined Mario He of Austria in the round of 16. He, a two-time World Cup of Pool winner, showcased his prowess with an impressive 9-5 win over Kazakis. He’s skillful use of the break was on full display, including a golden break in the third rack that put him in control early on. With his confidence high, He will be a formidable opponent in the quarters and beyond.

Another notable match saw Shane Van Boening, a former double champion, edge out David Alcaide to secure his place in the quarter-finals. Van Boening struggled early on, unable to fully master the new break, but found his rhythm midway through the match. Alcaide, a two-time winner himself, put up a strong fight but ultimately fell short as Van Boening sealed an 9-6 victory.

The quarter-finals promise to deliver more intense action as the remaining players battle it out for a place in the semis. Max Lechner will face two-time champion Niels Feijen, while James Aranas will take on Wiktor Zielinski. The highlight of the round will undoubtedly be Van Boening’s clash with Ko Pin Yi, a highly anticipated match-up that promises to be a classic.

The World Pool Masters, held in Brentwood, Essex, marks the return of the tournament to the UK for the first time since 2015. With a refreshed format featuring 16 players, the prize fund has also been increased to $125,000, with the winner taking home $40,000.

The quarter-finals will be played in a race to 11 before the semi-finals and final, which will be played in a race to 13 for the first time. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports in the UK, DAZN in the USA, Spain, Italy, and Brazil, as well as on Viaplay in the Netherlands, Poland, Scandinavia, and the Baltics. For viewers in countries without a broadcaster, the action can be streamed live on Matchroom.Live.

As the tension and excitement continue to build, fans of pool sports around the world are eagerly anticipating the next thrilling chapter in this year’s World Pool Masters.

Defending Champion Joshua Filler Knocked Out in Opening Round of World Pool Masters 2023

In a stunning upset, defending World Pool Masters champion Joshua Filler was knocked out in the opening round of the 2023 edition of the tournament. The German player, who was looking to become only the second player in the tournament’s history to defend the title, was defeated by two-time winner Niels Feijen in an action-packed match at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, England.

Filler started the match strong, taking advantage of a scratch by Feijen to race into a 5-1 lead. However, Feijen was warned early on by the referee for soft breaks, which seemed to spur him on. The Dutchman found another gear and produced his best 9-ball to level the match at 5-5 before going on to win 9-5.

Feijen’s momentum was key to his victory, with his break on lock and Filler unable to produce a response. The former champion pounced late in the match when a costly push out from Filler was punished to seal the win. Feijen will now face either Max Lechner or Mohammad Soufi in the quarter-finals on Friday, 12 May.

Lechner progressed to the quarter-finals after defeating Soufi 9-4. Despite Soufi’s recent run to the final of the World Pool Championship, Lechner made the early movements in the match to lead 5-1, no small part due to three golden breaks, including back-to-back in the fifth and sixth racks. The Austrian seemed to have the break sussed and left Soufi with very little room for error. Soufi pulled things back to 7-4 after a horrific miscue from Lechner but was unable to mount a comeback, with Lechner coming through 9-4.

The evening action saw two-time Mosconi Cup champion Jayson Shaw face an imperious Ko Pin Yi. Ko was in red-hot form and moved into a 5-0 lead with Shaw yet to pot a ball. Shaw made some ground up to pull it back to 5-1, but that was short-lived optimism as Ko put on arguably the performance of the night to wrap up a 9-1 victory. The winner of Shane Van Boening and David Alcaide awaits Ko in the quarter-finals.

The remaining Round 1 matches will get underway from midday UK time tomorrow, with WNT No.1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz meeting James Aranas before Wiktor Zielinski of Poland takes on Zheng Xiao Huai of China. A meeting of two Mosconi Cup titans in Albin Ouschan and Eklent Kaci will wrap up the afternoon action. The evening will see 2021 champion Alexander Kazakis take on Mario He ahead of Van Boening and Alcaide, who will wrap up the Round 1 action.

The World Pool Masters returns to the UK for the first time since 2015 with a fresh look as the field reverts back to 16 players. Fourteen of the 16 automatically earned their place from the World Nineball Tour Rankings, with two wild cards completing the field. Round 1 matches are Race to 9, with quarter and semi-final encounters Race to 11 before the final stretches to a Race to 13 for the first time. The prize fund has been bolstered to $125,000, with the winner taking home $40,000.

Pool fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the rest of the tournament, which promises to deliver more thrilling matches and upsets. With the defending champion already out, the field is wide open, and any one of the remaining players could emerge as the 2023 World Pool Masters champion.

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