Two sets on the lead and a 6-0 average in the third set: what could really go wrong for Davy van Havere this afternoon in his three cushion match against Jef Philipoom. The verdict, however, was saved for the second half of the match. The reversal came when Philipoom suddenly got wings and from then dominated the match: 2-15 (4), 11-15 (10), 15-7 (5), 15-6 (6) and 15-7 (6).
,,I need that!'',said the former world champion after the match, ,,a feeling that I may not miss anymore. Why I don't have that feeling always, I realy do'nt not know, it has to do with my concentration. I'm not always in the mood. Sometimes I play matches and tournaments that I do not care to make a mistake.''
Davy van Havere is not a stranger to Jef Philipoom. They play together in a team in Belgium and often met each other in tournaments. ,,I think we were in balance with our victories until today'', told the 28-year old boy from Kapellen near Antwerp.
,,With those two sets in my pocket, I had not expected Jef coming back. He did not play so well at the moment and I had a good feeling in the two sets I won. I finished my first with a run of ten, won the second and started the third with a run of six. But then I missed a simple position and I lost. And in the two last sets, I had two misses on crucial moments. Jef punished me hard at that moments, he played very good and clever at the end.''
The winner even played three average in the three sets he won and made a great impression. In that shape he certainly is a dangerous outsider in this championship.