3-Cushion
LIMA - The Dutchman Jean Paul de Bruijn was the best starter in the moderate first session of the world championship in Lima. Pedro Piedrabuena came back from 2-0 behind and finally won 3-2, Antonio Ortiz defeated Ihab El Messery after a poor start 3-1 and the Vietnamese Xuan Cuong Ma had the better finish in a thriller against Fabian Oliveto: 3-2, after the two last sets were decided on a score of 14-14.
The first session of the World championship didn't excel by high averages. Jean Paul de Bruijn was by far the best with over 1.500. He defeated his opponent Radek Novak 3-0 (15-13, 15-4, 15-8) and will meet the Korean giant Kyung-Roul Kim in the next round.
The first of four Dutch players in the tournament made a cool impression from the start. On the other tables the level was much lower. Pedro Piedrabuena had a difficult start against Paolo Andrade. The Portuguese rose in the first two sets above himself with 15-5 (8) and 15-10 (11), but then saw his opponent take the lead and win 3-2.
Fabian Oliveto, substitute at the last moment for the Swede Michael Nilsson, showed himself a tough opponent for Xuan Cuong Ma, who he forced on a score of 15-14 in the fourth set to a deciding set. The Argentinian missed a matchbal due to a kiss. Then the Vietnamese finished with the winning carom.
The Spanish champion Antonio Ortiz lost the first set against Ihab El Messery by surprise (15-14), but repared with three winning sets. Tomorrow he plays against Eddy Merckx.