NEWS - 12.14.03 Sands Regency Open XXXVIII - Mike Davis scores his first major title

236 had registered for the 38th edition of the Sands Regency Open in „Divorce City“ Reno, NV. Since the Mosconi Cup is played a week later in Las Vegas, another three players of the US Mosconi Cup Team used this tournament as a preparation, just like me.

My first match against J. Rogers (USA) ended with a clear 9-1. The second match against L. Mah (USA) was just as clear - 9-2. Due to the time zone delay, I slept not well during this night and this was why I was not fully concentrated in my third match against I. Costello (USA). After leading 2-0, I missed three racks in a row, and should have won this match under normal conditions. But the newcomer made use of my numerous mistakes and sent me with a 9-6 into the losers bracket. Here I had to play R. Martinez from Mexico, who happened to live for a few years in Germany. Right from the start, I was fully focussed and did not commit any mistakes. After leading 6-0 and 8-2, the Mexican could reduce the gap to 4-8, but could not help the 4-9 defeat. My next opponent was G. Olson (USA) and I could maintain my good performance. I won 9-2 and now had to play my room mate F. Alvarez. The UPA board member had problems with his neck and did not stand the slightest chance - 9-0. My next opponent suffered the same fate - D. Piona (USA) also had to give in 0-9, and I played a really convincing game. My next opponent was co-promoter C. MacDonald (USA). Known under his nick-name „Big Mac“, he played the Pro Tour for several years. The double responsibility in the tournament did not seem to bother him, but still, he could not help the 4-9 defeat. Against L. Ulrich (USA), I played even better and at the intermediate score of 1-2, my opponent missed an 8 ball and I ran the match to 9-2. Then, destiny stroke. Just before my match against U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion J. Jones, a vertebra must have turned around in the area of the sacrolumbal angle and I started to have a bad back pain. I had a cramped position at the table and had to adapt my stance. Things still went on until 3-3, but then I missed an easy 8 ball to take the lead. From now on, nothing worked out anymore. Jones played well and had a good composure. I couldn’t re-enter the match, and just missed an easy 1 ball at the score of 4-8. I lost my second match in the tournament 4-9 and had to satisfy myself with the 9th rank. I just hope that my back can regenerate in time for the Mosconi Cup.

Jones lost his next match 4-9 against J. Archer (USA). He in turn lost his next match against S. Sambajon jr. (PHI) 7-9 and finished 5th. In the next round, the man from the Philippines defeated the American M. Eberle 9-8 and in the semi-final the One Pocket specialist C. Joyner (USA) 9-7. In the final, Sambajon, who lives in the US, played the so far undefeated M. Davis (USA). Coming from the winners bracket, Davis just needed one set to win the title, whereas Sambajon needed to win two sets. Compared to the previous matches, both players committed a high number of mistakes. They were obviously very nervous. At 8-5 for Sambajon, everything indicated a second set. But the man from the Philippines could not make use of three opportunities to win the match and finally M. Davis played the final 9 to win the match 9-8. With his great performance throughout the tournament, the „Bulldog“ deserved to win his first Major 9-Ball tournament, including the price money of US$ 12.000.