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.
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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.