Former women’s world number one Jasmin Ouschan has praised Argentina’s Ayala Soledad for her ‘pretty impressive’ improvement following their matches at the Women’s Las Vegas Open.
Ouschan, the women’s world 10-ball champion in 2010, was whitewashed in the deciding set against Soledad in the winners’ qualification round, before avenging that defeat in a quarter-final victory.
The Austrian, whose tournament came to an end following a semi-final loss at the hands of eventual champion Rubilen Amit, expressed her admiration for the Soledad’s rapid improvement and commended her commitment.
“I’ve known her for a little while now, she’s been playing a lot of tournaments and she’s a very sweet person. A couple of years ago she came on tour and she was very new to this world,” Ouschan told the Predator Pro Billiard Series.
“She must have practised 24/7 because her game has gotten so good. She was kicking well, she was jumping – I mean she had the full game.
“I told her to keep what she did a secret because obviously it’s working. It’s amazing how her game has changed from the last tournaments to now – it’s pretty impressive.”
Soledad, a multiple-time Pan American champion, enjoyed her most prosperous outing on the women’s tour, overcoming both Pia Filler and Ouschan on her way to qualifying for the last 16.
In addition, the Argentine cueist battled through a gripping decider against Seo Seoa in the last 16, denying the former champion 7-6 in a dramatic shootout.
“It’s great for the tour, great for the sport and it’s going to kick the level up,” Ouschan added, graciously paying homage to the tremendous work that lesser players are putting in behind the scenes.
“I think with Predator, so many organisers and the WPA having more and more events, it’s motivating for a lot of players to just work hard because now you have the chance to be part of this crazy pool world.
“It’s good when new players come onboard and when the ‘not so good’ players, let’s call them, are working really hard to get better and better.
“It’s going to make the level rise. It’s kicking our butts a little bit too and pushes me to better performances as well.”
