ANDERNOS - The expected frontrunner Ruben Legazpi started the first day at the Kozoom 3-cushion Challenge Cup with one maximum set of ten and a prolonged run of 17. The tournament in the very stylish Kozoom Studio in Andernos was launched by one Spaniard, who is the European national team champion with Dani Sánchez, and two Frenchmen of whom Mikaël Devogelaere kept the tension in the match with three sets won. Ruben Legazpi leads with four sets won, 18-year-old Nathan Duriez could score once.
The format, with eight flights of three players who meet in each group over three days, is unprecedented. Three players are at the match table at the same time, each play with a different colored ball. Ruben Legazpi started as the main favorite for the group win to qualify for the finals. He lived up to that expectation, with a maximum 10 run to finish the sixth set and the restart in the next set with 7 in his first inning.
Nathan Duriez counter attacked in the first part of the match after two wins by Legazpi. Michael Devogelaere took back the tension in the eighth and final set of the day, winning 10-5-5. That brought the day's score to 4 won sets for Legazpi, 3 for Devogelaere and 1 for Duriez.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday the three players will meet again from 17.00 to eight sets of ten caroms.
The ranking after the first day with set points, scored points, innings, average, highest runs:
1 Ruben Legazpi 4-58-37-1,568-10
2 Mikaël Devogelaere 3-45-37-1,216-5
3 Nathan Duriez 1-31-35-0,885-4
Kozoom's very flavorful arena for the Challenge