WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP (6-10 June2021) Champion $50K

Even more remarkable is that he missed a straight in 9ball on the hill to beat Melling, and likely would have been eliminated if Melling didn't miss a 3 ball in the deciding game.
Life is kind enough to give us all second chances from time to time. It's what we do with them that defines us.
 
The U.S. Open has now been scheduled only two weeks before the International 9-Ball Open, also on the East Coast. This could be an attempt by Matchroom to undermine the event or be useful in bringing more players to the area to compete in both events. The jury is out.
I don't recall Matchroom ever playing hardball with their event schedules. They operate under the WPA umbrella for sanctioned events like the World Championship and the US Open, and it has always been the WPA's task to ensure that no schedule overlaps occur with sanctioned events. Beyond that, I doubt Matchroom pays a lot of attention to other events, getting the best dates they can for events to be held in venues outside of the United Kingdom. As we've seen, sometimes they get far less than what they would like, having had to settle for Thanksgiving weekend at the 2019 Mosconi Cup at Mandalay Bay.

I, for one, think Matchroom would have done the players a great service had they piggybacked the International. Scheduling two weeks in advance of the International would have allowed all the pro players to play in the US Open, the American Straight Pool Championship, and the International back to back to back and all within a 250 mile stretch of the east coast. Piggybacking reduces the fixed costs of participation in an event for the pros, and gives them a better shot at earning a living.
 
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One would have to say that this, for all but those wearing rose colored glasses, has been a pretty forgettable day of pool so far. A competitive final would redeem things, otherwise this may be remembered as among the worst final days ever of a pool major. My fingers are crossed.
 
One would have to say that this, for all but those wearing rose colored glasses, has been a pretty forgettable day of pool so far. A competitive final would redeem things, otherwise this may be remembered as among the worst final days ever of a pool major. My fingers are crossed.

Albin played almost perfect pool in his semi-final match.

Omar found the heart to come back from 6-1 to win his match.

Pretty good so far. Unless you think every match has to go hill-hill.
 
Albin played almost perfect pool in his semi-final match.

Omar found the heart to come back from 6-1 to win his match.

Pretty good so far. Unless you think every match has to go hill-hill.
Agreed that Albin played well, but that semi was not competitive. And, no, he wasn't perfect, for he was very weak in the moves game. He was very efficient in executing the offense, and his position play was impressive, but was rescued on a few occasions by the comically loose pockets.

A competitive match can still be a stinker. The TPAs in the other semi were probably no higher than .800 and it didn't look much like pro pool for much of the match.

If you enjoyed these semis, count me jealous, but the semis didn't measure up in the eyes of this fan.
 
Albin has picked things up where he left off. His position play has been off the charts brilliant. If he keeps this up, my prediction that Omar would get to six racks may prove too ambitious.

An improbable miss by Albin gifts rack 4 to Omar, so it's 3-1.
 
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A competitive final would redeem things, otherwise this may be remembered as among the worst final days ever of a pool major. My fingers are crossed.

2017 WC with biado and garcia was extremely boring, and the pockets were equally loose if not looser. but i agree that this is anticlimactic.
 
In rack 5, Albin's first miss is rescued by a roll, but not his second miss, and Omar pulls to within 3-2. Albin will probably feel he should be up 5-0 here, but three misses in the last two racks haven't helped.
 
Omar refuses to go quietly - not showing the major early jitters that he had during the semis, but not looking as comfortable as Albin.
 
A very poor kick by Albin in rack 6, in which he missed the two ball completely, is costly and Omar ties it at 3-3.

Albin has been in the giving mood, with four errors in the last three racks.
 
Sometimes when you're the heavy favorite there's 'more pressure'. Not saying that's the case with Albin .... but it's possible.
 
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