3-Cushion
LIMA - The nice and friendly gesture of Dani Sánchez, who just had surrendered his world title, was significant. The Spaniard looked with a huge admiration to the opponent who just had beaten him with a superhuman high average: 4,500 and a 3-0 score. Dick Jaspers seeded himself as the first player for the final of the World championship later today, his opponent is Marco Zanetti, the Italian who also made a great impression against Javier Palazón.
The two finalists, who compete for the gold medal, have a huge history in the World championships. Both players won the title twice: Zanetti in Randers (2002) and St. Wendel (2008), Jaspers in Saint Etienne (2000) and Rottterdam (2004). The winner of the final tonight will be crowned with his third World championship gold, like Dani Sánchez, the dethroned champion, did before in his career.
Jaspers underlined his supremacy in the semifinal against Sánchez with a finish in the third set in two innings. He made thirteen from the break shot and ended up with two. The Spaniard came for one miss to the table, he was killed as the reigning champion on the field of honor with ten caroms in eight innings. The sets scores: 15.4 (4), 15.6 (4), 15-0 (2).
Three years ago, Jaspers did even better in the final of the championship. Torbjörn Blomdahl was defeated in Florange with 45 caroms in eight innings, a record average of 5.625. The match average on a World championship, Jaspers played in Sluiskil last year with 4.363.
The Dutchman has built up a boundless confidence in the quarterfinal against Frédéric Caudron and his demonstration of great class against the world champion. Jaspers reached the final due to victories in the knock out-phase over Heo Jung Han (2.142), Caudron (2.129) and Sánchez (4.500).
Jaspers is the big favorite with these hi, gh scores, but he realizes how dangerous his opponent in the final will be. Marco Zanetti rises to his highlights usually in matches with a lot of international impact, like when he won the world title in St. Wendel and this year in the European Cup final with his team of Agipi.
Marco Zanetti, who jumped easily to victory against Javier Palazón in the semis (15-3 in 6, 15-11 in 7, 15-7 in 11) will feel himself comfortable in the role of underdog and can find inspiration for a wonderful finale. The Italian, who is already certain of a return to the top ten of the world now, has already reached that goal. He can chase now in the final match of the championship a new peak in his career, but will need his best form against the Jaspers that showed himself a big hitter in the semi finals. Zanetti must be even better then that will he make a chance to flaunt with the trophee at the end of this world championship.