NEWS - 08.24.03 – Las Vegas 9-Ball Open  – Reyes defeats Feijen

The second edition of this tournament was a bigger success than last year, since promoter Allen Hopkins could welcome a full 64 competitors field. The playing material, provided by T. Gabriels in Belgium and J. Marra, the US importer for Gabriels tables, satisfied all requirements.

But my performance was quite different. Already in round one, I had to swallow a bitter, but deserved 4-10 defeat against M. Davis (USA). My first match in the losers bracket was a bit better and I could book my first win against J. Stone (USA) 10-7. In my next match against E. Broxmeyer (USA), I slowly found my form and I won 10-3. My best match was against L. Dorsey (USA), and I managed to score a clear 10-2. Now, I was opposed to one of the top players, C. Deuel. I started very well and took a rapid 6-1 lead. After a bit of bad luck with my break, Deuel reduced the score to 4-7. Then he started complaining about the racking using the Sardo Rack tool and we had a lengthy discussion. My rhythm was gone and IO found myself back trailing 7-8. But I managed to find my composure again and at 9-8 and ball in hand, I had the opportunity to win the match. But I missed my position on the 4 ball and committed a foul. At the score of 9-9, I committed another foul when  tried a rail shot on the 1 ball.
I finally lost 9-10 and had once more to accept a 17th rank.

Having lost the final last week in New York, the Magician E. Reyes won this time against Dutchman N. Feijen 10-7. Third place went to J. Archer (USA) before the New York winner C. Williams (USA).