World No.1 Aloysius Yapp and reigning World Champion Carlo Biado suffered shock exits on a dramatic Day Four of the Florida Open Pool Championship, while five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening moved one step closer to redemption after reaching the Last 16 in Orlando.
The second edition of the Florida Open Pool Championship returns to the stunning Caribe Royale Resort from 4-9 August, bringing six days of world-class nine-ball action as the World Nineball Tour’s August USA Swing gets underway. With crucial ranking points, Mosconi Cup qualification and major silverware all on the line, the sport’s biggest stars continue their battle in the Sunshine State.
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Recently crowned World No.1 Aloysius Yapp suffered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament as Peru’s Cristopher Tevez abruptly ended the Singaporean’s title defence with a 10-8 victory in the Last 64.
Reflecting on his exit, Yapp said: “I feel like my luck has finally run out. I don’t think I played badly, but Cristopher played better when it mattered. Even when he gave me chances, I couldn’t capitalise on them.
“Now I have to move on. It’s disappointing to lose the title, but I’ll focus on the next tournament and make sure I come back playing better.”
Another major shock followed as reigning World Champion Carlo Biado saw his Florida Open campaign ended by 18-year-old Albert Januarta, who produced one of the biggest result of his career to reach the Last 16 of a Matchroom Major for the first time.
The former junior champion, who has earned the nickname ‘Giant Killer’, held his nerve to defeat one of the sport’s biggest stars and simultaneously halt Biado’s pursuit of the World No.1 ranking.
Januarta said: “I’m over the moon. It feels amazing to reach the Last 16 for the first time, especially against Carlo. I look up to him a lot and he’s one of the best players ever, so even sharing the table with him is an honour.
“To get the win makes it even more special. I just tried to stay focused and play my own game, and thankfully I managed to get over the line.”
Another former junior champion enjoying an impressive performance was AJ Manas, who secured his place in the Last 16 after overcoming Austria’s Max Lechner before defeating Jayson Shaw.
Manas said: “First of all, I’m sorry to Jayson because I was definitely lucky in that match. But I’m really happy to get the win, especially after losing to him at the Philippines Open last year.
“It’s a great feeling to reach my first Last 16 at a Matchroom Major, but now I need to rest, recover and be ready for tomorrow.
“It’s also great seeing the junior event here this week. It reminds me how far I’ve come, from winning the junior title in Hanoi to now reaching the Last 16 of a major. It shows that the hard work pays off, and hopefully I can keep going and take this all the way to the final.”
Five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening also continued his charge towards redemption in Florida, defeating six-time World Pool Masters champion Ralf Souquet before overcoming two-time World Champion Albin Ouschan to book his place in the Last 16.
Van Boening commented: “Two really good wins against two good players. I know I’m on the favourites this week so I felt confident going into both matches. But tomorrow is a new day and another challenge. Josh is playing really well, so it’s going to be a great match and I’m looking forward to it.”
Van Boening is set to meet the recently crowned UK Open champion Joshua Filler, who reaches his third Last 16 in a Major this year. The German defeated Andri Januarta before producing a comeback against Sanjin Pehlivanovic, recovering from 4-2 down to secure his place in the next round.
Filler said: “I’ve played solid in both matches. Against Sanjin, I was 4-2 down and for a moment I thought I was out, but I found my rhythm and from there I played almost perfect. From there I didn’t miss much, and I took my chances to get the win.”
With a second Matchroom Major title of the year now within reach, Filler added: “It would be fantastic. I know I’m capable of winning this title, and it would be the perfect foundation for me to go on and win a second US Open.”
The Florida Open Pool Championship now moves into the business end of the tournament, with the Last 16 set for another blockbuster day in Orlando. Van Boening faces Filler in a heavyweight showdown, while Francisco Sánchez Ruiz takes on AJ Manas, with the remaining contenders all fighting for their place in the final stages and the chance to be crowned the new champion in Florida.