Yeah, the shape was tricky off that combo, but as long as the cue ball got above the first ball, a good result was virtually assured.
2026 WPA Predator Men's World 10 Ball Saigon
- Thread starter jax_joe
- Start date
You're welcome. Yeah, these Asian tournaments are a challenge for a New Yorker, but sacrifices must be made in the name of watching great pool. Now to catch up on my sleep.thanks to sjm and everyone for reporting on the graveyard shift
Szewczyk's win got me thinking about how hard it has been this year for new players to break through on the men's side. The guys who have succeeded at specific events seemingly continue to enjoy success at that event.
Seems there have been a lot of seconds in 2026.
1. Szewczyk won his second World 10ball
2. Filler won his second UK Open
3. FSR won his second US Open 9ball
4. Neuhausen won his second Turning Stone Classic
5. Evan Lunda won his second Buffalo Billiards one-pocket
There have even been a few thirds in 2026.
1. SVB won his third DCC Master for the Table
2. SVB won his third DCC one-pocket
3. Josh Filler won his third DCC 9ball
No doubt, I've missed more than a few instances of somebody winning something they've won before.
Especially at the majors, it just seems that the guys who are used to winning continue to win, and Cinderella stories have been few and far between in men's pool, although Felix Vogel's win at Predator Austria is a clear exception. Alexa Pecelj had a nice win at the Phoenix Open, too.
I'd like to see a few more new names in the winner's circle at the toughest events.
Seems there have been a lot of seconds in 2026.
1. Szewczyk won his second World 10ball
2. Filler won his second UK Open
3. FSR won his second US Open 9ball
4. Neuhausen won his second Turning Stone Classic
5. Evan Lunda won his second Buffalo Billiards one-pocket
There have even been a few thirds in 2026.
1. SVB won his third DCC Master for the Table
2. SVB won his third DCC one-pocket
3. Josh Filler won his third DCC 9ball
No doubt, I've missed more than a few instances of somebody winning something they've won before.
Especially at the majors, it just seems that the guys who are used to winning continue to win, and Cinderella stories have been few and far between in men's pool, although Felix Vogel's win at Predator Austria is a clear exception. Alexa Pecelj had a nice win at the Phoenix Open, too.
I'd like to see a few more new names in the winner's circle at the toughest events.
Ah yes. No math skills required, and can still be successfully played regardless of how loud the jukebox or how much alcohol is consumed
(I blame the bar-box).yea he holds his emotions in check for the duration of the tournament, then release. the guy is the definition of solid. fundamentals, temperament, position play.. no flair, just very good at every aspect of the game.
also a great result for kaci. he's had a rough year and even called himself a 650 fargo some months ago. worked himself back. and his kicking game in this tournament was insane.
I'm late to the thread and could not follow due to work obligations this week. Which Kaci was in the finals with Szewczyk? Was it Kledio or Eklent? We're going to have to give each one a nickname to tell them apart. Some say Big Kaci and Little Kaci, but they're both big. 
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
Curious if they’d have flashed all those star of David’s if Kaci won it lol
huh? kaci's catholic.. the massive mother teresa tattoo on his arm is a clue.. wojciech i don't know. probably culturally catholic at least.
the symbols on the floor was probably just random wingdings. they messed up the national anthem twice..
I'd suggest re-reading my posts on the subject, for that is not what I said.
I just noted that they had never won a WNT 9ball event and that no Polish player had ever made Team Europe at the Mosconi Cup. It remains true. I also noted that the model offered by both the Taiwanese and Polish contingents should inspire the Vietnamese players as they try to develop into stars of the game. As I noted, those are two countries where large investment in its players and pool infrastructure has paid off the most in this century. I'd love to see the same thing happen in Vietnam, which was the subject of discussion in the posts to which you allude.
Nobody is more aware of what the Polish players have achieved than me, and yes, I knew well that Szewczyk was a World 10ball champion even before this year, but as a group, the Polish players have not won many majors and are 0-for-5-years in chasing down a WNT 9 ball title. Nonetheless, having three of the Fargo Top 50 means something and validates the overall success of the Polish program.
Ultimately, Jay, I think you and I have a very different sense of what constitutes a world championship level player. There's rarefied air at the top of our sport, Jay, and few ever get to sniff it. Like you, I'd be very happy if a few of the Vietnamese players get to sniff it one of these days.
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It was Eklent.I'm late to the thread and could not follow due to work obligations this week. Which Kaci was in the finals with Szewczyk? Was it Kledio or Eklent? We're going to have to give each one a nickname to tell them apart. Some say Big Kaci and Little Kaci, but they're both big.
I am growing increasingly impressed by how he conducts himself in the arena of battle. He's gracious, whether he wins or loses, keeps an even temperament, and treats all his opponents with respect. At the US Open 9ball, he even stopped Earl Strickland when he was about to play the balls out of order. It cost him the rack and he went on to lose double hill, but Earl was quick to praise him at the end of the match.
In short, Eklent Kaci understands what it means to act like a professional in the arena of battle and is a good role model in our sport.
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
I know
I though so, but would never guess someone’s identity
Just thought it was an odd choice to flash massive Star of David’s on the ground at a pool event
I ended up watching the semis and finals in the morning after they were over. No way I was going to watch live!
So little separated Kaci from Filler, or Woj from Kaci. Kaci's break - and the lack thereof for Josh - gave him a close win in the semis. His break wasn't great, but it was a small advantage in a close match. Josh has trouble getting a ball in.
Kaci lived on thin ice in the later rounds. He probably should have lost to Feijin and Capito, but he played the best defense of his life until the finals. Yet a few poor safeties did him in vs Woj, especially in the next to last game with Woj up 3 games to 2.
Woj was challenged, too, Chua was up 3-0, tied at one set apiece, and it looked like he was cruising to a win. But Johann couldn't get a ball in on the break, and a few poor safeties later, Woj came back to win the third set, 4-3. Chua was deflated and Woj won the last set 4-0.
Woj is the best Polish player. He is great at 10-ball. Two World Championships attest. He still hasn't broken through in 9 ball, though.
So little separated Kaci from Filler, or Woj from Kaci. Kaci's break - and the lack thereof for Josh - gave him a close win in the semis. His break wasn't great, but it was a small advantage in a close match. Josh has trouble getting a ball in.
Kaci lived on thin ice in the later rounds. He probably should have lost to Feijin and Capito, but he played the best defense of his life until the finals. Yet a few poor safeties did him in vs Woj, especially in the next to last game with Woj up 3 games to 2.
Woj was challenged, too, Chua was up 3-0, tied at one set apiece, and it looked like he was cruising to a win. But Johann couldn't get a ball in on the break, and a few poor safeties later, Woj came back to win the third set, 4-3. Chua was deflated and Woj won the last set 4-0.
Woj is the best Polish player. He is great at 10-ball. Two World Championships attest. He still hasn't broken through in 9 ball, though.
As for Polish players ... Since the WNT was established, Matchroom has held 26 "major" events. Polish players have had just four semifinalists among 104 semifinalists overall (Woj twice, Maciol and Fortunski). They have won none of the 26 events.
Polish players have only made 14 quarterfinal appearances in MR majors. Woj has four: A finals, a semifinal and two quarters.
By contrast, American players have 13 appearances in quarters or above, 17 if Gorst is included during the time he began living in the U.S. SVB accounted for most, but Styer has one semis appearance and Woodward has two semis appearances.
Woj is great at 10 ball, but just how good is he? Not quite great, imo.
I was happy Kaci won since I dreaded a Woj-Filler final. I have never seen Woj beat Filler, and he actually looks intimidated based on his body language. Filler crushed him in this year's UK Open, 13-1.
I checked the new and excellent website Inside.spin, and it shows Woj is 0-10 vs Filler. I am not sure if it covers all their matches, but I have a hard time crediting Woj as one of the modern greats based on his play vs Filler alone. Great players should not be intimidated.
I also want to see Woj break through in 9 ball. Not sure why he hasn't won a major title in 9 ball. Maybe 9 ball favors gamblers a bit more. Woj is very precise and not a risk taker. So 10-ball seems to suit him.
Polish players have only made 14 quarterfinal appearances in MR majors. Woj has four: A finals, a semifinal and two quarters.
By contrast, American players have 13 appearances in quarters or above, 17 if Gorst is included during the time he began living in the U.S. SVB accounted for most, but Styer has one semis appearance and Woodward has two semis appearances.
Woj is great at 10 ball, but just how good is he? Not quite great, imo.
I was happy Kaci won since I dreaded a Woj-Filler final. I have never seen Woj beat Filler, and he actually looks intimidated based on his body language. Filler crushed him in this year's UK Open, 13-1.
I checked the new and excellent website Inside.spin, and it shows Woj is 0-10 vs Filler. I am not sure if it covers all their matches, but I have a hard time crediting Woj as one of the modern greats based on his play vs Filler alone. Great players should not be intimidated.
I also want to see Woj break through in 9 ball. Not sure why he hasn't won a major title in 9 ball. Maybe 9 ball favors gamblers a bit more. Woj is very precise and not a risk taker. So 10-ball seems to suit him.
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