After a press conference the day before, the match between „Ice Angel“ Pan Xiao-Ting and Ralf „The Kaiser“ Souquet could start. In the first place, the promoter had offered a 5 racks advantage to the Queen, but the Chinese no. 1 refused. 23 years old Pan wanted to play the set in a race to 15 from scratch, and this sure indicates her self-assurance.

The recent bronze medal winner of the 9-Ball WC missed her first two opportunities, because the cue ball fell twice upon the break. So I could win the first three racks. After another mistake made by the All Japan Open winner 2002, I could increase my lead to 6-2 and 8-3. I missed an easy safety because the balls stuck together and instead of further increasing my lead, Pan came back to 5-8. But I stayed in the zone and increased the lead again to 11-6. The very attractive player from China made two more mistakes and finally did not stand too much of a chance when I was winning 15-7. If she had accepted the 5 racks advantage offered, the match would have been more than tight.

All participants could be satisfied and more events are being planned in the Chinese metropolis.

I would very much like to thank Colin and Karen, Duncan and Candy (Fosters) and Bryce (Big Bamboo) for a very successful event.