Phoenix Open - August 18-22

I feel certain Gorst will be on Team USA. Yes, he has had a poor year in WNT, with nothing better than a 17th place finish in a WNT major, but he has had some highlights away from WNT in rotation games. Yes, I know action matches shouldn't, on average, be taken into account but how could Johan overlook that Fedor schooled SVB in a long race not too many weeks ago? Fedor also won the Derby City 10ball, the Texas Open 10ball, and was runner-up to Filler at the Las Vegas Open 10ball. He's third on the AZB money list and still carries the #3 ranking on the WNT. His tournament resume in 2026 is impressive, and, to me, the case for omission from Team USA is a very weak one.

There is no denying that, right now, Fedor is not showing the kind of form in 9ball we have come to expect of him, but he remains a superstar of the highest order. When SVB and Filler were omitted from Team "Rest of the World" at the 2025 Reyes Cup, the result was a laughably lopsided, and virtually unwatchable match with Team Asia. Are we going to go down that road again by leaving Fedor off of Team USA? Geez, I sure hope not.

I hope Fedor finishes high next week at the US Open 9ball so this whole discussion becomes moot. Wish him well.
 
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sjm said:
I feel certain Gorst will be on Team USA. Yes, he has had a poor year in WNT, with nothing better than a 17th place finish in a WNT major, but he has had some highlights away from WNT in rotation games. Yes, I know action matches shouldn't, on average, be taken into account but how could Johan overlook that Fedor schooled SVB in a long race not too many weeks ago? Fedor also won the Derby City 10ball, the Texas Open 10ball, and was runner-up to Filler at the Las Vegas Open 10ball. He's third on the AZB money list and still carries the #3 ranking on the WNT. His tournament resume in 2026 is impressive, and, to me, the case for omission from Team USA is a very weak one.

There is no denying that, right now, Fedor is not showing the kind of form in 9ball we have come to expect of him, but he remains a superstar of the highest order. When SVB and Filler were omitted from Team "Rest of the World" at the 2025 Reyes Cup, the result was a laughably lopsided, and virtually unwatchable match with Team Asia. Are we going to go down that road again by leaving Fedor off of Team USA? Geez, I sure hope not.

I hope Fedor finishes high next week at the US Open 9ball so this whole discussion becomes moot. Wish him well.
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agree. That sa96 wingnut thinks that the whole pool world revolves around the MC and that his hated Fedor has no right being there. The guy is living in a dreamworld.
 
Gum9Ball said:
Love your website, the Head 2 Head analysis with the Rating Trends and the H2H Matches... For the Phoenix Open I kind of like Yu Lung Chang and Joshua Filler in the Final. Chang is playing 100+ Fargo pts over his Fargo and Filler 21 pts over his.
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Sorry but whats Fargo? LOL jk

I agree Chang is playing great
 
sjm said:
I feel certain Gorst will be on Team USA. Yes, he has had a poor year in WNT, with nothing better than a 17th place finish in a WNT major, but he has had some highlights away from WNT in rotation games. Yes, I know action matches shouldn't, on average, be taken into account but how could Johan overlook that Fedor schooled SVB in a long race not too many weeks ago? Fedor also won the Derby City 10ball, the Texas Open 10ball, and was runner-up to Filler at the Las Vegas Open 10ball. He's third on the AZB money list and still carries the #3 ranking on the WNT. His tournament resume in 2026 is impressive, and, to me, the case for omission from Team USA is a very weak one.

There is no denying that, right now, Fedor is not showing the kind of form in 9ball we have come to expect of him, but he remains a superstar of the highest order. When SVB and Filler were omitted from Team "Rest of the World" at the 2025 Reyes Cup, the result was a laughably lopsided, and virtually unwatchable match with Team Asia. Are we going to go down that road again by leaving Fedor off of Team USA? Geez, I sure hope not.

I hope Fedor finishes high next week at the US Open 9ball so this whole discussion becomes moot. Wish him well.
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I don't put any stock in the 3rd exhibition against Shane. Meaningless imo. Anyway we'll see how Fred does in the US Open
 
datnodude said:
I don't put any stock in the 3rd exhibition against Shane. Meaningless imo. Anyway we'll see how Fred does in the US Open
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Fortunately for Shane fans, Shane put a lot of stock in that match and noted in an interview that the Fedor match showed him he'd have to work a lot harder at his game if he wanted to beat the most elite in the biggest spots. By his own account, Shane regrouped and practiced harder, and when the Florida Open came, he was ready and won the title.
 
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Styer DOGGED that early nine and it looked like he blew a brain fuse. Wasn't the same the rest of the match. Sweet 4rail kick late tho, too bad it didn't mean shit. Sure hope wingnut96's man-crush is intact. He really thinks Styer is better than Gorst? Send me some of what he's smokin'.
 
garczar said:
agree. That sa96 wingnut thinks that the whole pool world revolves around the MC and that his hated Fedor has no right being there. The guy is living in a dreamworld.
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Well, the WNT is one of the two most important pro tours. And around the WNT all they talk about all year long is the MC, so maybe it’s bigger than some of you think.
First, there is big money in it, win or lose, exhibition or not..
Second, there is prestige getting on that team, it’s a signature of proof that you’re not just good enough, that you’re one of the best.

It might not be as big as winning a world championship or the US Open but it’s next in line
 
skor said:
Well, the WNT is one of the two most important pro tours. And around the WNT all they talk about all year long is the MC, so maybe it’s bigger than some of you think.
First, there is big money in it, win or lose, exhibition or not..
Second, there is prestige getting on that team, it’s a signature of proof that you’re not just good enough, that you’re one of the best.

It might not be as big as winning a world championship or the US Open but it’s next in line
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The MC is owned by MR/WNT. of course they're gonna push it. Big money?? Well i guess for pool it might be. Look, i've watched nearly ever one since it started, to me its still a made-4-Brit tv exhibition. I don't lose any sleep over who wins/loses. The US will be lucky to win three of the next 20 MC's. Real competition.
 
skor said:
Well, the WNT is one of the two most important pro tours. And around the WNT all they talk about all year long is the MC, so maybe it’s bigger than some of you think.
First, there is big money in it, win or lose, exhibition or not..
Second, there is prestige getting on that team, it’s a signature of proof that you’re not just good enough, that you’re one of the best.

It might not be as big as winning a world championship or the US Open but it’s next in line
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One of the best or one of the best in the US? Huge difference
 
jasonlaus said:
One of the best or one of the best in the US? Huge difference
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Yep. Based on the number of world-class big table players in the US, making the squad is really not a big deal. Seriously, how many US players could possibly make it? 8-10? Maybe? Multiple Euro countries could form their own MC squad and win.
 
skor said:
Well, the WNT is one of the two most important pro tours. And around the WNT all they talk about all year long is the MC, so maybe it’s bigger than some of you think.
First, there is big money in it, win or lose, exhibition or not..
Second, there is prestige getting on that team, it’s a signature of proof that you’re not just good enough, that you’re one of the best.

It might not be as big as winning a world championship or the US Open but it’s next in line
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Exactly.

The Mosconi is huge and making the team is definitely a very big deal for the players, whose participation and lodging expenses are covered by Matchroom and who are guaranteed a payout of $20,000 at bare minimum, a significant sum relative to annual prize money earnings for all but a handful. If one is on the winning team, they get a $40,000 payday, as much as they would get for get for winning a major in either WNT or the Predator PBS.

The event draws more eyes than any other in our sport, and a player can build his brand with a superior performance. Obviously, having to deal with so much crowd noise makes playing in the Mosconi a different experience, and some adjust better than others, but superior play has and always will rule at the Mosconi Cup.

I can't wait for the 2026 Mosconi Cup!
 
Every time I think Styer is about to become elite .. he sabotages himself. Like Groundhog Day. Happens again and again. He is his own worst enemy. The only person he’s letting down is himself.

I’ll keep hoping, but not expecting.
 
Down to four. Yapp vs Pecelj and Szolnocki vs Biado are the semis. Good luck to these four outstanding players as they seek the title.
 
skogstokig said:
he's facing the ultimate grinder now, but hopefully the shot clock will work in his favor. he's fun to watch. don't remember him ever winning a decent size int'l tournament. would be cool if he did at that age
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Szolnoki , with his deliberate pace, was the worst kind of opponent for Chang. Might have been a different outcome with a shot clock.
 
sjm said:
Down to four. Yapp vs Pecelj and Szolnocki vs Biado are the semis. Good luck to these four outstanding players as they seek the title.
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I already thought Biado was the best kicker in the world. He’s been outstanding in Phoenix. He just can’t be snookered!

Pecelj ate his Wheaties or jumped into a nearby phooneboth. He is in the best form of all the semifinalists. I am going with him. Ironic, he had no plans to play in Arizona and might have skipped Phoenix to hang out in Florida before the U.S. Open.

Yapp has played great since last night, but he’s been very up and down this year.

Szolnoki is tough when he has time. A finals appearance would almost ensure an auto bid for the Mosconi.
 
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