Paper tigers on opening day in Tokyo

TOKYO - The opening day of the World Championship three-cushion for women was marked by lots of spectacular results, but also matches on a poor level. Two matches of sixteen in four groups were played over one average, the others were far below. The conclusion: it was an opening day with paper tigers in Tokyo.

The Dutch favorite Therese Klompenhouwer seems to keep her best guns for next days. She won hir first match against Monique van Hamond 25-20 in 40 innings and then played a draw against Ji Hyun Park in 39 innings.

Orie Hida, the reigning world champion who started with a disappointing loss, recovered with a 1.190 average match. Namiko Hayashi was one of the key players at day one in the same group with 1.136 average.

The tension will be on until the last group matches, that must decide which players advance for the eight spots in the quarterfinals.

Gülsen Degener, after two defeats, has to hope for a small miracle to continue. The Turkish started started badly in the tournament with a loss of 11 points in 44 innings. Then she was unlucky against Ayaka Fukumoto, who closed the match at 24-22 with a 3-run.

Karina Jetten is leading in Group A with 4 match points, but needs a win tomorrow (Thursday) in her match with Orie Hida to qualify. The Dutch had a dramatic start: a win over Kyung Hui Oh in 68 innings (!).

Namiko Hayashi, who was beaten by Jetten 25-24, is a major competitor if the Dutch cannot win her match against Hida.

Therese Klompenhouwer is even not sure of the quarterfinals. Ji Hyun Park and Kazumi Hida, the mother of Orie Hida, are tough rivals for the Dutch lady: Park has three match points, like Klompenhouwer, Hida 2.

The Dutch will play against Kazumi Hida in her last match and must win to be sure of the next round.

The Korean Su Ah Park is the frontrunner in Group D, in which Marianne Mortensen won the duel with Helga Mitterböck. Natsumi Higashiuchi has a chance as well to qualify.