World Pool Championships 2025, July 21-26, Jeddah

My question is quite the opposite: why are they allowed to be in this? As long as women have their own 9-ball worlds, men are entitled to have the same. And it used to be like this, until MR decided they need to drop Fallon Sharrock (inquiring minds are free to google this) into the lion's den. Well, Fallon did surprisingly good on her debut year (unlike next attempts). So following these footsteps MR invites some women to compete with men in pool. Oh well, oh well.
I consider the ladies tournament are for ladies….the pro events are OPEN….golf treats it the same way.
 
I love this tournament.

If Gorst and Filler win their last 64 games, they will meet in the last 32.

The two best players in the world meeting in the last 32 is insane.
 
last 64 draw out, only the Dutch got unlucky facing each other. 12 pinoys might be all in last 32... or all of them gone too. Taiwan Vietnam USA well represented as well
 
One thing to add about Albin:
He definitly lost his nimbus of someone you don't want to draw in a tournament.
The SVBs, the Fillers, the Gorsts...they sometimes win matches because of their name. And this helps a lot, especially in the early stages, when you feel jetlagged or you potting or speed control isn't relly there.
I think at the moment there are a lot of second tier players, who feel comfortable playing Albin.
Agree somewhat with you about the "fear factor." Probably a few testosterone-loaded dudes out there right now saying "I can take this guy." But Albin is a pretty special talent. Calculated, smart and smooth. A tactician's tactician. And if / when this guy gets into a groove, he will surgically remove your liver and eat it right in front of you. This game is tough and often cruel, as we all know too well. Everyone dips from time to time and for reasons we cannot even begin to speculate. Only wishing him well and hope to see him on many more podiums.
 
*Seen a lot of choking over the years. Gerson was right up there. I knew he’d find a way to screw up the last rack. Played great, got up 6-2, then fell apart. Filler made some clutch safeties in the second half of the match and got out of a few pickles, but Gerson gave him chance after chance.

*I’ve seen a lot of Seo Seoa. Tremendous fundamentals and pretty good strategist at her young age. Top 10 in women’s for sure, and a threat to win any tourney she is in. She was great today and could have beaten lots of men.

*Albin Ouschan looks great physically. Still young. I think his problem is all mental. He is an overthinker. When he was young, he let his emotions get the best of him. He might be even worse now in the other direction. Gets moody, pouts and you can see a lack of confidence.

I think it started in the 2023 PLP, when he was very gesticular if things went wrong. He was just the same in the 2024 PLP. Then the MR-WPA stuff happened. He just hasn’t been the same since. Very odd to see a player drop off so quickly like he has. Is he practicing enough? Just odd.

*The Ko brothers haven’t played a lot this year and it shows. Chung got thru but hasn’t been as sharp as usual. Ko Pin Yi made too many errors in his final two matches.

*Tyler played very well after an open round stinker.
 
Filler threw his stick on the table after he squeaked by. He was disgusted with himself.

I am sure a lot of players were hoping he’d lose.

Can’t see him playing this badly in the next round.
 
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