No, it wasn’t. I am doubtful there is such a thing. There’s been too many great pool matches over time. Sometimes in just one tournament.
I do think it’s on the shortlist for greatest matches ever, however. How so? I’ll list some criteria.
1)
Importance of the event. It’s the U.S. Open. The biggest event in pool, with the biggest history, even bigger than the World Pool Championship.
2)
Quality of the players. FSR is arguably HOF material. We don’t know what Capito will do with the rest of his career, but he’s clearly a top player now. This was not Gorst-Filler or Earl-Efren, though, and that has to be taken into account.
3)
Quality of play. Both FSR and Capito played at a high level. Not the highest I’ve ever seen but high.
4)
Clutch performances - and big mistakes. Capito came from behind to go up 10-8 and 12-10, only for FSR to win the last three racks in dramatic fashion. Robbie’s failed carom with the 6 turned out to be a decisive moment that won’t be forgotten.
5)
High drama. Big and boisterous crowd. First time the event is on ESPN. Hill-hill final. Can’t get any better than that.
My pool watching career in real time is relatively at young six years. I’ve seen a lot of great matches in that time. Others would include:
- Biado beating Gorst 15-13 in the 2025 WPC.
- Fedor Gorst beating Eklent Kaci 15-14 in the 2024 WPC.
- Fedor Gorst beating Joshua Filler 13-12 in the 2024 World Pool Masters final.
- Jayson Shaw beating Albin Ouschan 13-12 in the 2024 Hanoi Open.
- David Alcaide beating Anton Raga in the 2023 European Open.
- Dang Jin Hu beating Marc Bijsterbosch 13–12 in the 2023 Spanish Open.
Of course, one has to mention Reyes’ 1995 victory over Earl Strickland, 13-12, in the Sands Regency 9 ball open, a big event in its day. The famous Z-shot took place in the last rack.
I’m sure there’s plenty of others that other longtime fans can remember. List them here and what made them special, if you’d like.
