3-Cushion
SCHILTIGHEIM - The secret of Korean billiard players is that they are mentally very strong, the are the champions in making practicing hours and they never lose concentration, even not under intense pressure. Kyung-Roul Kim demonstrated his high class today in the first of two quarter finals, Sung-Won Choi did it tonight against Eddy Merckx.
The two Asians were the first players who were seeded for the semifinals. Tomorrow (Friday) Torbjörn Blomdahl plays against Filipos Kasidokostas (17.00) and then Dick Jaspers against Martin Horn (20.00) for the other two places.
Sung-Won Choi, winner of the Agipi Masters last year, put himself in title picture again by a strong finish against Eddy Merckx. The match had a stumbeling start, with a slightly better Merckx, who led 21-15 after a run of 7 in the thirteenth inning.
,,Then I made a mistake I have never made in my whole life,'' said the Belgian later. He passed the time frame in the 21st inning with 27-22 on the score board, leaving his opponent the shot from the break-off.
,,My concentration was gone in the second part of the match, I don't understand what happened to me'', said Merckx, who scored only eight times in ten innings. Nevertheless he kept the balance until 44-44. But then againg the Korean showed how cool he can be in finals: he finished the match with six to 50-44 in 37.