Francisco Sanchez Ruiz etched his name into US Open history once again, defeating Robbie Capito 13-12 in a dramatic hill-hill thriller to become a two-time US Open champion.
Four years after lifting the famous green jacket for the first time in 2022, the Spaniard produced a remarkable performance to deny Capito the biggest title of his career and become just the tenth player in the 49-year history of the event to win the US Open multiple times, and move up to 3rd in the World Rankings.
“It feels amazing. I gave absolutely everything to win today, and it worked. I feel so lucky to be able to put the green jacket back on one more time.
“Robbie is a great player and he gave me a very tough final. When he was on the hill, I just stayed focused, believed in myself and trusted my game until the very end. I never gave up.
“This is my favourite tournament. Winning it in 2022 was so special, but to come back four years later and do it again means even more.”
Final
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 13 – 12 Robbie Capito
Capito won the lag and immediately found himself in a safety battle, but Sanchez Ruiz produced an incredible escape to pot the 1-ball and take control of the opening rack. Capito was handed another opportunity after a failed safety on the 4-ball, but could not capitalise as Sanchez Ruiz took the lead.
A scratch from Sanchez Ruiz in the second allowed Capito to level before the Hong Kong player ran out the third to move 2-1 ahead.
Sanchez Ruiz responded immediately, taking advantage of a dry break in the fourth before running the next two racks to regain the lead at 4-2.
The pair continued to trade blows, with Capito recovering to level at 4-4 before Sanchez Ruiz edged ahead once again at 5-4. Another missed 4-ball from the Spaniard allowed Capito to draw level at 5-5, but a hanging 2-ball in the following rack gifted Sanchez Ruiz the lead once more.
An outstanding safety on the 7-ball in the 11th rack forced Capito into a foul, allowing Sanchez Ruiz to extend his advantage before Capito fought back through another safety battle to level the match at 7-7.
Sanchez Ruiz reclaimed the lead after Capito missed a 1-ball, but a scratch from the Spaniard off the break handed the initiative back to his opponent. Capito capitalised, winning three consecutive racks to move 10-8 ahead.
With his back against the wall, Sanchez Ruiz produced his response. A clutch 3-9 combination narrowed the gap to 10-9 before he won the next rack to level at 10-10.
Capito edged ahead again at 11-10 and then reached the hill at 12-10, leaving himself just one rack away from his first US Open title.
But Sanchez Ruiz refused to surrender. A crucial missed 5-ball from Capito handed Sanchez Ruiz the opportunity he needed, and he took it to close the gap and reach the hill himself at 12-11.
With the title on the line in the final rack, Sanchez Ruiz called a push-out before Capito attempted to take on the 2-ball. Unable to convert, Capito left the table open and Sanchez Ruiz kept his composure to clear the table and seal an unforgettable 13-12 victory.
“I’ve had a tough week. I struggled a lot at the beginning of the tournament, but I changed my mentality and just tried to enjoy every match, no matter what happened.
“The crowd gave me so much energy out there. I could feel them behind me, especially when I was coming back in the final. To experience that and then win the US Open again is an incredible feeling.”
The victory marks Sanchez Ruiz’s second US Open title, four years after his first triumph, and sees him join an elite group of just ten players to have lifted the prestigious trophy multiple times. The Spaniard now moves to third on the world rankings after winning $100,000 in ranking points.
Marking the 49th edition of the historic tournament, the 2026 US Open Pool Championship took place at Embassy Suites in Frisco, Texas from 25–30 August, bringing six days of world-class nine-ball action as a 256-player field competed for the prestigious Barry Behrman US Open Trophy.
NEXT MATCHROOM MAJOR
The World Nineball Tour returns to Manila, Philippines for the third edition of the Reyes Cup from 15–18 October, as Team Asia look to defend their title against Team Rest of the World.
World Champion Carlo Biado will return for Team Asia alongside US Open finalist Robbie Capito, who will make his Reyes Cup debut, while the newly crowned US Open champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz returns for Team R.O.W alongside five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening, who will also make his debut in Manila.
For the full draw and live scoring, visit www.wntlivescores.com.
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