BLANKENBERGE - What a match, what an excitemen and what an emotion. Before the start of the fourth day in the Multi's, this morning, the battle between Roland Forthomme and Tom Persyn was the 'talk of the town'. The match, yesterday evening, was without any doubt the most sensational match so far, not for its high quality, more because of the curious turn at the end of the game.
Roland Forthomme eventually won 3-2, he will play in the next round against Wesley de Jaeger. That match is for tonight in the last session of the day. This morning has been started with two matches in three-cushion for the the eighth finals: Eddy Leppens-Johan Claessen and Frédéric Caudron-Peter Ceulemans.
The match between Caudron and Ceulemans brings two players to the table with chances for a high rank. Peter Ceulemans played a perfect first round against Alain Clabots, Frédéric Caudron faltered shortly in his first set against Luc Salvo, the win, nevertheless, was never in danger.
Two tables are reserved for three-cushion at 11:00, on the other Philippe Deraes and Patrick Niessen play 47/1, in which discipline Eddy Leppens is the leader in the rank.
For the rest of the day will be played one three cushion match in each session with Eddy Merckx-Martin Spoormans (14.00), Francis Forton-Davy van Havere (17.30) and Roland Forthomme-Wesley de Jaeger (20.30).
Patrick Niessen performs three times today, like Eddy Leppens (three cushion, two times balk-line) and Philippe Deraes (three matches balk-line).
The program for today:
11.00: Three cushion: Frédéric Caudron-Peter Ceulemans, Eddy Leppens-Johan Claessen. Balk-line 47/1: Patrick Niessen-Philippe Deraes.
14.00: Three cushion: Eddy Merckx-Martin Spoormans. Balk-line 71/2: Patrick Niessen-Peter De Backer. 47/1: Frédéric Caudron-Eddy Leppens.
17.30: Three cushion: Francis Forton-Davy van Havere. 71/2: Philippe Deraes-Johan Devos. 47/2: Patrick Niessen-Eddy Leppens.
20.30: Three cushion: Roland Forthomme-Wesley de Jaeger. 71/2: Peter De Backer-Johan Devos. 47/2: Philippe Deraes-Johan Claessen.