By: Erik Hjorleifson
The 2016 U.S Open is now in the books with Shane VanBoening going on an incredible 10 match run on the losers side to come all the way back and defeat Chang Jun Lin. Jung Lin was the only player to give him a loss in the tournament. This one will go down in history as one of the strongest performances ever seen. The Open has now become a truly international event, in my estimate at least two thirds of the players are from overseas which is a stark contrast to even 5 years ago when two thirds of the players were from North America.
The other notable losers side run came from Mika Immonen around 2010 when he lost in the final 128 on the winners side only to come back 13 matches and win the tournament. The element of the Open being the only major tournament that doesn't feature a single knockout redraw is interesting. If this were any other major WPA event Van Boeinings loss to Chang in the round of 32 would most likely have sent him packing, however in this double knockout event Shane took full advantage of his second chance.
His list of victims on the losers side is quite staggering if you think about it
Thorsten Hohmann 11-6
Corey Deuel 11-4
Darryl Peah 11-7
Mike Dechaine 11-6
Brandon Shuff 11-4
ALex Pagulayan 11-9
Jeremy Jones 11-5
Dennis Orcollo 11-7
Jayson Shaw 11-9
Chang Jun Lin 13-9
The level of consistency and skill that must be displayed to beat so many world class players in one tournament is something that even most professional players could only dream of. Then of course there is the stamina factor, people sometimes try to say pool is not a sport, I think they would become tired just watching this run on the losers side.
This years breaking rules were the toughest ever seen in an international tournament and it is no surprised to me that the unofficial best breaker in the world thrived under these conditions. I would like to add that this was not a power breaking contest like ten ball or 8 ball. It was a combination of precision and thought that was required to execute the cut break that would eventually help him get over the line.
In a time where it seems like the large majority of the American players have fallen behind the pack. There is one that stands above the rest and his dominance on U.S soil and recent success internationally make it hard for anyone to argue that he is not the best rotation player in the world. With this title Shane equals Earl Stricklands all time record of 5 U.S. Open wins including 4 of the last 5 years. With many productive years left I don't think there is any doubt he will break that record.
Honourable mentions this week must go out to Jayson Shaw who had an epic comeback in the winners side final 8 against Ko Pin Yi and had an excellent third place finish. Jeremy Jones in my opinion the most underrated American player showed he still belongs with a fifth place finish. By all accounts Pat Flemings first solo venture as promoter of the Open went very well and we are lucky to have someone like him to take of the legacy of this legendary tournament.
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