Fedor Gorst has been crowned the 47th US Open champion at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, defeating Shane van Boening 13-10 in a nervy final to win the prestigious accolade for the first time in his career.
World number one Gorst, who has also reigned victorious at the World Pool Championship and the World Pool Masters this year, completed the unofficial grand slam, trousering $50,000, pulling on the coveted green jacket and lifting the iconic Barry Behrman trophy.
The Ghost exacted revenge on Van Boening following his defeat in their epic long-race battle last weekend, scuppering the legendary American’s hopes of a record-breaking sixth US Open title in the process.
Van Boening broke the balls well to commence the contest and received a favourable layout, although an unexpected missed three ball gifted Gorst an open table. Nevertheless, he missed the nine ball and it was SVB who drew first blood.
An uncharacteristic scratch from Van Boening allowed Gorst to get on the board, prior to him break and running to turn the tables. Gorst subsequently obtained a two-rack buffer, taking full advantage of on a routine Van Boening one ball rattling the pocket.
That advantage was short-lived nonetheless as Van Boening claimed back-to-back racks to restore parity at three apiece, capitalising on a poor safety attempt and a costly scratch from Gorst. Van Boening had overcut a three ball in the sixth, but produced two impeccable shots on the eight and nine to make amends.
Gorst responded in kind with successive racks of his own to lead 5-3, the second being his second break and run of the final, although the tie continued to ebb and flow and Van Boening profited from a couple of uncommon errors to level up at five each.
Van Boening produced his first break and run to gain a slender 6-5 lead, but neither player could breakaway. Gorst claimed two racks on the spin following a missed three ball that wasn’t really on and a scratch from his opponent, only to miss the seven ball himself as SVB restored the stalemate status at seven apiece.
Scratches were becoming a cause for concern for Van Boening and a fourth allowed Gorst to clear the table and move 8-7 in front, before the world champion reinstalled his two-rack cushion with a third break and run, which included an exceptional two ball jump shot with position.
A competent Van Boening kick and stick was soon followed by an unbelievable jump shot on the pink four from Gorst, who somehow managed to execute that shot despite the cue ball being relatively tight to the seven, and the world number one cleared the table before break and running to construct an 11-8 advantage.
Gorst subsequently moved onto the hill following a tough missed six ball from SVB – which was seemingly the beginning of the end for the legendary American, although a rare missed jump shot for Gorst handed him a lifeline. Van Boening showcased an incredible draw shot from two to three on his way to reducing the arrears to 12-9.
A timely break and run further rejuvenated the Atlantic City audience, although that excitement was quickly deflated as an unfortunate scratch from the break spelled the end of Van Boening’s quest for a sixth crown as Gorst cleared the table to add his name to the esteemed roll of honour.
Gorst had defeated Niels Feijen in the semi-finals, who was vying for his maiden US Open title having made his debut back in 1997, while Van Boening beat Joshua Filler 11-7 in a tremendous performance.
