by Ben Hudd • October 12, 2022

American youngster Joey Tate remains confident heading into the remainder of his US Open Pool Championship campaign, despite pocketing the wrong ball at a crucial time against Shane van Boening.

Tate opened up a 5-1 advantage against the five-time champion and fended off a comeback, although him sinking the purple five ball instead of the pink four ball proved costly as Van Boening survived a huge scare.

The 17-year-old from North Carolina remained positive following the experience, talking to commentator Karl Boyes via his YouTube channel and was in good spirits.

“It was tough because at 5-1 up those thoughts starts to creep in, you’re already starting to think about your celebration,” the young American expressed. “But I still needed four games, and against a Fargo rating that’s 130 points more than me, anything can happen.

“I was definitely nervous, especially as the crowd started to grow as it was like four rows behind with people. I think it actually caused me to miss a few shots a little bit later on and I had to block it out.”

Matchroom’s ball colours for their major televised events differ to those used widely across America, with Tate struggling at times in adapting to the difference.

“I couldn’t believe I did that. It kind of just tells you how much pool I play where the four ball is purple,” he revealed. “I play on a junior tour that has Dynasphere balls and at my house it’s Dynasphere balls and I’ve only played in two Matchroom events.

“I was just so used to the four ball being purple. I had glanced over at the purple thinking it was the four. But it was already before the four ball came up, so I could remember to play shape for the pink and it just got me that time.”

Tate remains in contention of reaching the single elimination rounds with nine-time Women’s Euro Tour champion Kristina Tkach up next for him, before a potential meeting with either Britain’s Elliott Sanderson or Taiwan’s Ko Ping-Han.

He added: “I’m feeling good, I’m feeling confident, especially with the way I was playing on the TV table. It gave me confidence for my next match after Shane.”

Afterwards, Tate competes in the inaugural SVB Junior Open which is being held in conjunction with the 45th US Open, with Riku Rompannen and Khalid Al-Ghamdi amongst his title rivals in that tournament.