BERLICUM – The big four at Sunday’s Dutch Masterd are known and the averages are rising to international heights. Dick Jaspers and Glenn Hofman surpassed the two-point average in the run-up round on Saturday afternoon's quarterfinals. Two losers in those matches, Dave Christiani and Sam van Etten, were close behind. Dick Jaspers won his match averaging 2.666, Glenn Hofman 2.222. The other two winners of this round were Jean van Erp and Jeffrey Jorissen. The packed Benelux Theatre in Berlicum enjoyed high-quality three-cushion billiards and is looking forward to a great final day.
Dick Jaspers made the best impression in the uppermost stage where the final selections are made. The 22-time champion staked his claim for a new title in his match against Dave Christiani. The Brabant and Limburg player stayed close together for six innings. Jaspers' decisive attack came with Christiani leading 10-12 in the 7th inning. Jaspers is gradually regaining his knack for high-flying shots: he already scored a 17 on Friday, and now against Christiani, a high-quality 13. The tension was still palpable at 24-20, but with 5 and 2, and finally 2, 3, and 4, Jaspers felt it was time to finish. Christiani stalled at 40-26 in 15/14, leaving the Limburg player with nothing to complain: 2,666 and 1,857.
Before the second session, Jean van Erp had rallied and announced the match against Adrie Demming as the new start of this Masters. The Brabant idol and his opponent, who loves to mingle with the Masters' top players, both had a flat approach (6-2). Jean van Erp launched himself with a 6, and Adrie Demming immediately followed with an 8. Two fives in the next part gave Van Erp a lead, Demming could only add a late six. The winner (Van Erp) finished with a 10-point margin from 34-24 with two three’s, while Demming finished with a five to make it 40-29 in 27/26 (1.481/1.115).
The crown prince-elect, Glenn Hofman, had the crowd on their feet for the first time with an early 10 against Sam van Etten, the younger talent in this Masters top 8, who started with a five and had controlled his initial nerves. The match remained evenly matched for a long time (22-21, 24-24), until Hofman found his way out, first with a five and finally with a nine and a two after a seven from the tall North Holland player for a final score 40-33 in 18 (2.222/1.833), both with excellent averages.
The final fire was stoked for the man who his fans call the Hague magician, against a 60-year-old veteran. Jeffrey Jorissen, like Hofman, has been considered a coming man for a few years now, lived up to that reputation. Jorissen peppered his opponent with small attacks, taking a good lead at 32-12. The margin was never threatened. With four misses in his last five innings, Jorissen had a difficult final, but won comfortably 40-24 in 26 (averages 1.538/0.923).
Dick Jaspers will play Jean van Erp in the semifinals on Sunday morning at 11.00, Glenn Hofman plays Jeffrey Jorissen at 13.00 in an always prestigious Hague derby.
Dick Jaspers, best match with 8 in the quarters
Jeffrey Jorissen making up for The Hague match with Glenn Hofman
Glenn Hofman was the better of Sam van Etten