ANDERNOS - Dick Jaspers is the undisputed favorite for group win after the first day at the Kozoom Challenge. Rui Costa was the other fast starter on the opening day of the event that is played in the Kozoom arena in Andernos. The Dutchman and the Portuguese lead their group of three players, in which three days in a row are played to six sets of ten points. Dick Jaspers is after those first six sets the leader in Group A with 5 won sets to Therese Klompenhouwer 1 and Alessio D'Agata still without a set win. Rui Manuel Costa leads the group of three with 3 won sets ahead of Michael Nilsson with 2 and Dion Nelin with 1 won set.
Jaspers and Rui Costa have excellent averages over the first day: the Dutchman 2,600, 52 points scored in 20 innings and already one maximum set win in one inning. The Portuguese has 2,143 on average: 45 points in 21 innings, highest run of 6.
Dick Jaspers quickly felt at home in the stylish Kozoom arena and won his first five sets with 10 in 4, 10 in 4, 10 in 1, 10 in 4 and 10 in 4. Only in the sixth and last session of the day, the world champion met some opposition from Therese Klompenhouwer, the world champion in the ladies. The win went to Therese with 10 in 4 innings. Until then, the Dutch lady had not been able to threaten her compatriot: she scored 3, 4, 0, 4 and 2 points in the first five sets. In those short sets, won by Jaspers, and the last set won by herself, Klompenhouwer played on 1,111 average.
Alessio D'Agata still has to find his rhythm. The young Italian only managed 6 in 3 in the first set, 5 in 3 in the fourth, but otherwise remained below his level, with a total of 0,778 over six sets.
The other group with Rui Costa, Michael Nilsson and Dion Nelin is on its way to much more tension. All three players retain chances of winning the group and qualifying for the final. Rui Costa had the best start with three sets that he won 10 in 3, 10 in 4 and 10 in 4 innings. Michael Nilsson took the second and fourth sets in 4 and 5 innings. Dion Nelin only picked up speed in the last set, which the Dane won 10 in 3 innings.
The Kozoom Challenge continues today, Wednesday, with the second day in the two groups. The matches, to be seen live on Kozoom, are at 14.00, 16.00, 18.00 and 20.00.
The standings after one day in both poules (winnings, caroms, innings, moyenne, highest series):
Poule A:
1 Dick Jaspers 5-52-20-2,600-10
2 Therese Klompenhouwer 1-20-18-1.111-5
3 Alessio D'Agata 0-14-18-0.778-5
Pool B:
1 Rui Manuel Costa 3-45-21-2.143-6
2 Michael Nilsson 2-38-20-1,900-6
3 Dion Nelin 1-23-21-1,095-7.
(Only the winners of the pools will qualify for the final pool with a total of eight players).
The group with Rui Costa as the leader after one day (right), Michael Nilsson and Dion Nelin
Dick Jaspers on his way to an amazing start of the event
Rui Costa is topping the group with Michael Nilsson and Dion Nelin.