SANTA CRUZ - The Spanish four time champion Dani Sánchez has lost his world title in three cushion after a year of great triumphs and glory. The new world champion comes from the four semi finalists, fighting this Sunday for the most desirable title. Three European world stars, Frédéric Caudron, Marco Zanetti and Eddy Merckx are the favorites, the Vietnamese Minh Cam Ma is in the dangerous outside player in the field of four. Dani Sánchez is no longer the world's number one on the ranking after the finals in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The new number one will be Caudron or Zanetti.
Three of the finalists on stage make a bit for their third world title. Marco Zanetti, Eddy Merckx and Frédéric Caudron won the world gold twice in their career. This Sunday afternoon (South American time 12.00, European time 17.00), first Eddy Merckx and Minh Cam Ma compete for a place in the final. Two hours later, Marco Zanetti and Frédéric Caudron will be in the ring. In case of wins by Caudron and Merckx, two Belgians fight for the gold. That only happened twice in the history of three cushion: in 1934 with two Americans, in 1938 with two Argentines.
The four matches in the quarterfinals meant on Saturday night the elimination of Dani Sánchez, the retiring champion, Javier Vera, the 50-year Mexican sensation at the World championship, David Martinez, the young Spanish coming man and the Frenchman Jérémy Bury. Javier Vera was outplayed in his party against Ma, who overpowered the last South American in the field by 8 in the starting and 12 in the final phase: 40-28 in 15. That was qualitatively the best match in the quarterfinals.
Frédéric Caudron stopped the title illusions of Dani Sánchez in a match which was dominated by the Belgium after leading 15-10 (6 innings). The contest between two of the world's best then turned into a one-way match, in which Caudron showed how brilliant he can play billiards when he is on his best. The audience (and Kozoom-watchers) were entertained by his high class: the best of all was a rarely seen point: a reverse shot along the short cushion (short-long-short, full speed, full English). Sánchez was not a shadow of himself in the final part, in which C dashed off to 40-18 in 18.
Marco Zanetti started his mission against Jérémy Bury (who got back his cue just in time after he had left it in a taxi) with two runs of 9 (2nd and 4th innings) The Frenchman had opened the game with 9. At the stop, Zanetti led 21-11 in 4. Bury came back to 23-23 in the 11th, but was topped by Zanetti at 40-25 in 19.
Eddy Merckx had a tremendous start (run 9), but was 20-17 down at the break in ten innings. With his huge routine, power and never-give-up mentality, the Belgian then jumped to win: first to 31-26, with a short attack to 35-26 and finally to scoop victory, 40-28 in 22.
Of the four final players, Caudron was the last world champion in 2013 in Antwerp. Only one year before, Merckx was the best in Porto.
Frédéric Caudron is the winner, Dani Sánchez is out for the title
Marco Zanetti shows his big smile after he beat Jérémy Bury
Minh Cam Ma, the Vietnamese player in the final field with three Europeans
Eddy Merckx, going up for his third world title?
Dani Sánchez, dethroned as the world's best
David Martinez and Eddy Merckx at the start
Frédéric Caudron, winner with some brilliant shots
Eddy Merckx on his way to victory against David Martinez
Javier Vera, this is the end, my friend
David Martinez, outplayed by Eddy Merckx after a great tournament