BINH THUAN - The first knocks at the World three cushion Championship have been handed out by the Belgians and the Vietnamese. The high averages on the first day of the preliminary rounds came from Eddy Merckx, the best with 2.352, run 13, Thanh Luc Tran, Hong Chiem Thai, Peter Ceulemans and Van Tai Nguyen. The summary after the opening day of the first World championship ever in Vietnam is not balanced. Two matches were played in eight groups from 16, with three players in each group, while only one match was played in the other eight groups.
The best starters, coming from Groups A to H, are already on course for a place in the next rounds with 32 players after the first day. Frenchman Mikael Devogelaere is the only one already 100 per cent certain. He first defeated Dutchman Jeffrey Jorissen (40-28 in 25) and played a draw against Sameh Sidhom (in 21 innings) in the evening session, making him already certain of a first or second place in Group H. From all 16 groups of three, the best two qualify to continue with the best 32. Only the numbers last (16 in total) are eliminated.
With great certainty, Eddy Merckx can also count himself rich with his victory over Jose Juan Garcia 40-33 in 17, because in Group G it’s almost impossible for the Belgian to be overtaken in average by Gerhard Kostistansky. Other players from the first eight groups who already made an important step are Quyet Chien Tran, Phuong Vinh Bao, Myung Woo Cho and Javier Vera.
The leaders who have not yet been in action (will enter the arena for the first time on Thursday) are Marco Zanetti, Tayfun Tasdemir, Torbjörn Blomdahl, Haeng Jik Kim and Jung Han Heo.
World number one Dick Jaspers faced Hong Chiem Thai, a quickly called up substitute, in one of the toughest groups. Thai started the World’s with a win over Turgay Orak 40-27 in 16 and then met Dick Jaspers on his way. The Dutchman escaped in the final sprint: Thai led 35-23, only had to make five caroms for the win, but Jaspers rounded off the final offensive by 4-6-0-0-7 for a final score 40-37 in 21.
Phuong Vinh Bao, the outgoing champion, played his first match against Japanese Miyashita and shone with two 10 runs for a final win 40-33 in 22 innings. The Belgians had Eddy Merckx to show off with his 40 in 17 against Garcia and Peter Ceulemans impressed against South American Ramon Rodriguez, apart from being an excellent billiard player also a music virtuoso. Ceulemans won among others with a wonderful 13, 40-29 in 19.
Strong Vietnamese favorites for the home crowd were also Van Tai Nguyen, who beat Berkay Karakurt 40-34 in 20. And Thanh Luc Tran, winner in the country clash with Thanhg Tien Le: 40-35 in 19. Quyet Chien Tran bested Daniel Morales 40-30 in 22.
For the Netherlands, Jeffrey Jorissen had a disappointing start with a loss against Mikaël Devogelaere (40-28 in 25). The Frenchman then held off Sameh Sidhom, requiring Jorissen to win against the Egyptian tomorrow to advance to the next round. Dutch born Raymon Groot, who lives in New York for several years, had a good start for his second country with a win over Chang Hoon Seo: 40-29 in 36. He still faces Marco Zanetti tomorrow. Martin Horn first won the German encounter with Ronny Lindemann (40-19 in 27), but lost his second match to Duc Minh Tran by big figures: 40-17 in 20.
Eddy Merckx, the best on average on the first day
Phuong Vinh Bao, one of the super Vietnamese stars
Peter Ceulemans, wonderful match to start the show
Dick Jaspers, fabulous final sprint