ROSMALEN - Twice there was a moment of glory in Dick Jaspers' performance, twice he astonished the audience in the Grand Prix in Rosmalen with world class highlights. The last, ultimate demonstration of his class, used Jaspers to win the final against Jean Paul de Bruijn 40-36 (23) after a final 10-run to the finish. ''I didn't give much for my chances anymore, but fortunately, I could turn the match around'', the winner, who took his 62nd Grand Prix in the Netherlands realized.
The climax at De Hazelaar, where a Grand Prix was played for ten years in a row, was reminiscent of another Jaspers masterpiece in his first knock-out match. There, the only Dutch world top player in the men's category finished with runs of 8, 12 and 13: in other words, 33 caroms in three innings. ''I can say it's nice to win here and especially this is a wonderful training for the World Cup in Veghel'', Jaspers said later in his review.
He confessed: ''I had a tough match against Jean Paul de Bruijn, an opponent I will never underestimate.'' The match was for De Bruijn, back from his short-lived PBA adventure in Korea, proof that his return to the Netherlands will undoubtedly inspire him to bigger successes than in the Asian stage.
Dick Jaspers and Jean Paul de Bruijn, both 56 years of age, De Bruijn 131 days older, have met each other countless times in their careers. In the last ten matches, Jaspers won eight times, but not in the last two before this Grand Prix final: De Bruijn won the match in Sluiskil a few weeks ago for the league and in the Rosmalen Grand Prix in 2020.
There was almost a hat-trick coming up, because De Bruijn was the best starter in the final (15-5 in five) and after a counterattack by Jaspers (21-17), De Bruijn was the first to come up to the finish with a run of ten. He came to 28-21, saw his opponent come back to 31-30 and 'attacted' again with five to 36-30. The vibrations of an upcoming sensation went through the rows of spectators, but under that high pressure, the master stood up for an unequalled ending.
It was the very best Jaspers who went to billiard table one more time and finished with ten, rewarded with a thunderous applause.
Dick Jaspers, amazing end rush up to his 62th Grand Prix win
Jean Paul de Bruijn, runner-up and good to be back
The build-up to the final was high quality and solid for Jaspers with a highlight in his first knock-out match against Joey de Kok in 11 innings and a rarely seen final sprint with three consecutive runs of 8, 12 and 13. Jean Paul de Bruijn showed an upward trend in his performance towards the final with his best match in the semi-final against Dave Christiani (40-30 in 27). The quality injection was saved for last.
The quarter-finals turned into an anti-climax for a few players. Therese Klompenhouwer played an excellent tournament up to that stage, but failed against Dave Christiani. The weapon of a strong start, like against Jaspers, could not be used against Christiani: 40-29 in 31.
Raymund Swertz also experienced such a free fall after his wonderful start and still difficult win against Harrie van de Ven. Raimond Burgman had Swertz completely under control from the start, quickly ran out to 22-6 in 8, to 37-9 in 14 and passed the verdict after 19 innings with 40-20.
Sam van Etten was just as hopeless in that round against Jean Paul de Bruijn. The start was moderate for both players with 9-8 in 11 and when the Zeeuw went on the attack, he ran to 19-8 and 22-9. De Bruijn then played out at 40-22 in 30.
Dick Jaspers did meet an opponent who reached his level, but the later winner walked in a smooth pace through the 'quarter' of the tournament. He subdued Roland Uijtdewillegen, who he kept on ten caroms throughout the match, and crowned that with 40-30.
Semi-finals
The picture of players with an unexpected curve in the tournament continued in the semi-finals. Jean Paul de Bruijn had the initiative in the match against Christiani, who was unusually tame in his counterattack, inhibited by the defensive positions he was offered. De Bruijn attacked with 6-1, 14-3 and steamed to a 25-11 in 12 to win 40-34 in 25.
Dick Jaspers and Raimond Burgman, announced in advance as the match that usually fascinates as a classic, remained close to each other until halfway, until Jaspers handed out the knock-out at a score of 25-20 and finished 40-34.
The Grand Prix started two weeks ago with a record of players: 142. For the ranking and the 16 places for the Masters, only one Grand Prix has to be played: Doetinchem 6-18 December.
The final ranking:
1 Dick Jaspers
2 Jean Paul de Bruijn
3 en 4 Raimond Burgman en Dave Christiani
5-8 Therese Klompenhouwer, Sam van Etten, Roland Uijtdewillegen en Raymund Swertz.