LAUSANNE - Two born winners in a final match is usually a guarantee for an attractive battle. Dick Jaspers and Eddy Merckx faced each other in the Lausanne Masters on Sunday in the low-country fight for the highest podium. The Dutchman, who lives less than an hour away from his Belgian rival, claimed sovereignly his 3rd victory in the Lausanne Casino: 40-30 in 21 innings. The regularity is remarkable: Jaspers won these three Masters in the last odd-numbered years: 2015, 2017 and now 2019. ,,This is a perfect moment for me: the World championship is coming up, this victory gives me confidence.''
Dick Jaspers dethroned the title holder, Eddy Merckx, after the Belgian showed a rarely thrilling end rush against Dani Sánchez in the run-up to the final. Dick Jaspers came in the final battle by a victory over Myung-Woo Cho, the strong debutant in the Lausanne Masters. The statistics in advance indicated an advantage for Dick Jaspers, who won four of his five last matches against Merckx. Two runs, of 7 (3rd inning) and 8 (11th) were decisive for the match win. The Dutch world champion ran away from 16-15 to a small lead and from 30-25 to the victory with 40-30. The carpet was rolled out for four players on stage: Jaspers, Merckx, Sánchez and Cho.
Jaspers analyzed: ''I was a little lucky that Eddy Merckx, a world class player pur sang, did not reach the level he played in his previous games. Therefore, I could maintain that ten point lead at the end. This is great for my confidence. I felt a little invisible in recent months with somewhat lesser matches in the competitions. The World championship is coming up, where important points can be won. Of course I want to peak there. That is why this victory comes at a perfect moment."
''There are no points to earn here in Lausanne, but I am very motivated to win here. Diane Wild has a fantastic tournament. We play with 9 world-class players and it is really an honor for all of us to be invited. I like to be there: a nice match room, a good hotel near the room, everything is perfect. I'm going home tonight with a very happy feeling."
Eddy Merckx, who had to hand over his title to Jaspers, said: ,, I certainly did not give up in the final, even though it was not my match. The only thing I could do was keep trying to turn around the match, but unfortunately that didn't work.''
Diane Wild, chairman and organizer of the Masters, spoke in her closing speech, among other things, about the amount for the charity goal: 8,450 Swiss francs for patients suffering from MS. Martin Horn also donated 1 Swiss Franc for the caroms he had made: 145, raised to 150. Ms Wild assured to be proud of this year's field of participants with Therese Klompenhouwer as the first lady in the Masters and two young talents, 21 year old Myung-Woo Cho and Maxime Panaia (18). ,,We will certainly continue our goals to promote billiards for women and juniors.'' With even more new sponsors, the Lausanne Masters is heading for a new organization next year.
Dick Jaspers first eliminated Tayfun in the quarterfinals, Eddy Merckx also shone with a better final rush against Semih Sayginer on Saturday.
The semi-finals:
Merckx-Sánchez: 40-27 in 20
Two players being well matched from the start. No high runs before the break, both of them 4. The scores in between speak volums: 9-8 in 5, 15-14 in 10, 20-17 in 15. The contrast is striking then: Merckx starts his second half with a miss on a position that he normally plays with his eyes closed. But one inning later, the miracle man stands up, the match springs to life. The flawless run of 14 from the Belgian hands his opponent the knock-out: 34-24 in 18. And not only that: he runs to the finish with 14-1-5. One of Merckx' feared final rushes: from 24-20 down in three innings to 40-27 up. The way is open for the last World Cup winner in Guri to his second Lausanne final in a row and to give his year of 2019 even more glory. Dani Sánchez had his ups and downs in Lausanne, showed his best three cushion in moments, but ran into the player with the most feared mental strength.
Eddy Merckx, showing his mental strength and feared finish in the semi-finals
Dani Sánchez, on his best in moments, but beaten by mental power man Merckx
Eddy Merckx, on his way to second Lausanne final in a row
Jaspers-Cho 40-22 (17/16)
Two world champions in the ring, one in three cushion elite, one in the juniors, but at the portal of his final breakthrough in the corps of champions. Dick Jaspers was prepared to be surprised by the rising Korean star Myung-Woo Cho. The start with 7 from the Dutchman was the first step towards a superior match. Then it went on to 12-6, 15-10 and 20-10 in 7 innings at the break. Jaspers' knockout came in the 15th and 16th inning with runs of 7 and 6 (38-22), the finish was there in the 17th inning (40-22). The Korean reacted as he is used, to with an admiring bow for his opponent. Jaspers comment: ,, I played a good match with a nice start. Cho made a few more mistakes on makeable positions. He still came close at 22-19, but then I finished shortly later with 7, 6 and 2. I can be satisfied with such a run-up to the final.''
Dick Jaspers, winner of the two generations battle
Myung-Woo Cho, on stage as the Asian best
Dick Jaspers after his win over Myung-Woo Cho