You simply cannot underestimate the pressure that comes along with the famous US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City. It’s pool’s longest-running major event and the Barry Behrman trophy is the slice of silverware that every budding champion dreams of getting their hands on.
Current world number one Francisco Sanchez Ruiz realised that dream last time around, and now heads into his title defence in possession of both blue-ribbon accolades on the World Nineball Tour following his World Pool Championship triumph back in February.
Emulating the Spaniard’s accomplishment of yesteryear will be the desired outcome for 256 players of both professional and amateur status competing at Harrah’s Resort and Casino, with $300,000 in prize money up for grabs as well as the prestige of becoming a US Open champion.
WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES?
Only four players in the 47-year history of the US Open have successfully defended their illustrious accolade. Sanchez Ruiz will be attempting to etch his name alongside Nick Varner, Mika Immonen, Darren Appleton and Shane van Boening in what would be recognised as a truly exceptional feat.
Sanchez Ruiz’s form has dipped somewhat since his World Championship and Premier League successes early on in the season, despite him remaining a regular at the latter end of major events. Him suffering from kidney stones and therefore having to withdraw from the recent Raxx MVP Tour Open and the Connecticut Open could mean his rivals are sharper heading to Atlantic City.
Fedor Gorst, meanwhile, has been the name on everybody’s lips in recent times, even despite him not winning a major tournament. “I want to win a Matchroom event. I want to prove I belong there,” candidly expressed Gorst ahead of last month’s European Open and you have to feel that the US Open could be the chance that he’s been craving.
Five-time champion Van Boening could create history as he commences another quest to secure a sensational sixth US Open crown. It’s the one achievement that the legendary SVB wants to accomplish before hanging up his cue and he’s undoubtedly still got the game to emerge victorious.
Joshua Filler has been on the receiving end of some unfortunate defeats this year but the world number three remains unstoppable on his given day. Filler heads stateside as the newly-crowned China Open champion and was a semi-finalist and runner-up respectively at the European Open and the UK Open.
David Alcaide was not a name anybody was actually mentioning ahead of last month’s European Open. The Spaniard unexpectedly snapped off that tournament and the standard of play he produced in Germany as well as the way he went about his business makes him one of the favourites in Atlantic City.
In addition, Albin Ouschan and Jayson Shaw are both top five seeds in Atlantic City, although Ouschan’s US Open record is relatively disappointing one for a player of his calibre while 2017 champion Shaw hasn’t yet reached a major ranking quarter-final in the World Nineball Tour era.
Ko Pin-Yi and Ko Ping-Chung have both landed lucrative accolades this year and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the final was contested between the Taiwanese brothers. Ko Pin-Yi has had to deal with a few heavy defeats in recent months, while 2022 semi-finalist Ko Ping-Chung is arguably in the better form of the two.
WHO ARE THE OUTSIDERS PRIMED FOR A RUN?
From Dang Jinhu and Marc Bijsterbosch contesting the Spanish Open showpiece to Anton Raga’s incredible campaign in Germany, the major opens have provided plenty of fairytale stories this year and the US Open is another opportunity for a dark horse to make a name for themselves.
Carlo Biado has impressed in recent weeks and appears to be in a rich vein of form in time for the US Open once again. The Filipino was crowned champion two years ago, mounting a valiant defence of his title by reaching the semi-finals last year and he now holds fond memories of the venue.
Moritz Neuhausen is arguably the most in-form player on the planet right now. The German teenager has reached back-to-back ranking finals, beating Van Boening on his way to the Connecticut Open title on Saturday. He will now expect a deep run in Atlantic City whilst brimming with confidence.
Neuhausen defeated Chang Yu-Lung in that aforementioned final in Connecticut, with former semi-finalist Chang a potential winners’ round one opponent for Anton Raga. European Open runner-up Raga has been tearing up trees himself in recent times and will fancy his chances of a second successive major final.
Max Lechner finally overcame his quarter-final hoodoo twelve months ago to reach his maiden blue-ribbon final and is as consistent as they come in these open majors, while his Austrian compatriot Mario He has been knocking on the door for quite some time despite not yet snapping off that elusive accolade.
Other than the legendary Van Boening, Skyler Woodward provides the most encouraging chance an American pulling on the green jacket. The former Derby City Classic champion was a semi-finalist at both the UK Open and the European Open but Atlantic City is where he will want to find that irresistible form most.
Alexander Kazakis was Van Boening’s conquerer last year but the Greek sensation is yet to find form of that nature in year’s majors. Similar can be said for Poland’s Wiktor Zielinski and Konrad Juszczyszyn, who have both won ranking titles this season, but are unequivocally title contenders.
Aloysius Yapp rocketed to stardom two years ago as he left plenty of household names in his shadow and the Singaporean will want to emulate that run this year, while World Championship runner-up Wu Kun-Lin is another who undoubtedly has the game to reign supreme.
Lithuania’s Spanish Open semi-finalist Pijus Labutis defeated both Ouschan and Gorst at that tournament and could now go two steps further, while Poland’s Daniel Maciol and Finland’s Jani Uski have both reached the last 16 of the the last two major open events and will now be attempting to overcome that hurdle.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER TALKING POINTS?
It’s another mammoth week in the race towards the famous Mosconi Cup for both American and European players. Van Boening will almost certainly be confirmed as the second official qualifier, although a deep run from any American would place them in good stead of an Alexandra Palace appearance come December.
For the European team, meanwhile, Gorst is in pole position for the second place via the rankings. Alcaide did place himself into contention following his Fulda success, while any other European player would likely need a title to secure that second automatic spot.
Elsewhere, five-time champion Earl Strickland has entered this year’s tournament. No one knows when the legendary American’s last appearance will come so onlookers should cherish the opportunity to watch him whilst he’s still competing.
Duong Quoc Hoang, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Luong Duc Thien and Do The Kien will be amongst a strong Vietnamese contingent in Atlantic City. Hoang especially will be hoping to perform well ahead of the World Nineball Tour’s inaugural trip to his home country next month.
