U.S Open Day 2: SVB, Corr, & Daigle Remain Undefeated

By: Markus Noé

It was another action packed day in Norfolk, Virginia as day 2 of the U.S Open got underway. In most fields with 128 players or more it usually takes sometime before the bigger names end up squaring off. However in a field so stacked with past and present World Champions as well as U.S Open Champions big match-up are happening each session.

The one I waited for with anticipation all day, and correctly assumed would make the Accu-Stats live stream, was Shane VanBoening vs Roberto Gomez. This was a big match because it was an early test for SVB, who is looking to extend his run to 4 consecutive U.S Open titles. Gomez or "Superman" as he is known to his fans is one of the top players from the Philippines and former runner up at the World 9 Ball Championship. This match began normally enough with the two players feeling each other out and getting accustomed to the conditions on the T.V table. They exchanged the first 8 racks and took a players break.

After the break the match continued to be close then at 8-7 for Gomez, it looked as if he was about to pull a head by two.  Unfortunately he used too much spin on the cue ball and overran his position on the 8 ball leaving himself with a tough back cut off the side rail, which he executed to perfection. He even came out fairly good on the 9. That being said there was still some work to do as it was a fine cut on the game ball, but at this level you expect them to make it without much trouble.

Gomez potted the ball right in the heart of the pocket but let the cue ball lose and it bounced off the side rail and made its way right into the opposite side pocket . This made it 8-8 then SVB broke and ran to go ahead before scratching off his next break. At 9-9 it was Gomez's turn to scratch off the break and from here SVB maintained control of the table and won 11-9. I will be honest, when Gomez scratched on the 9 ball it felt very similar to his World Final match against Peach. It really was an epic match however one Gomez would like to forget. He was in complete control but hit a wall somewhere along the line and was never able to regain momentum.

Karen Corr, photo courtesy of Shawn Beck-Cummings. 

Karen Corr who upset the World #1 player Ko Pin Yi the day before came in to day two brimming with confidence. She dominated her second round match against American James Blackburn beating him 11-1. Corr's third round match will be another stiff test as she will play Jayson Shaw. Keeping with the trends of upsets, Canadian Martin Daigle had one of his own today. He was up against Niels Feijen the 2014 World 9 Ball Champion who also holds various other major titles. Daigle got off to a roaring start going up 4-0. He was able to maintain a lead most of the match then up 10-8, Feijen made his charge to come back 10-10.

Feijen explains the last rack best on is Facebook page he wrote, " I claw back to 10-10. Break, make 2 balls but snooker. Tough push also. He hangs the 2ball a little later. I jump it in but hooked on the 3. I kick it safe, he kicks it 2 rails and leaves me a long thin 3 on the spot with qball frozen on the rail in the kitchen. Miss it and he runs out. Highly disappointed is an understatement, but still in it. Gotta keep working hard, reward has to be around a corner."

Check back the Cue Sport Nation Website or Facebook page for updates tomorrow. There will be some more great matches that you can follow along at www.azbilliards.com as they have live updates of all the tables. Also you can purchase the Accu-Stats stream which can be found at www.accu-stats.com. Matches to keep an eye on tomorrow will be Martin Daigle vs Mika Immonen, John Morra vs Mike Dechaine, Sky Woodward vs Karl Boyes and Warren Kiamco vs Jason Klatt to name a few.


Notable Scores From Day 2:

Martin Daigle 11 vs Niels Feijen 10
Jayson Shaw 11 vs Radoslaw Babica 5
Oliver Ortmann 11 vs David Alcaide 7
Mika Immonen 11 vs Matt Krah 9
Jason Klatt 11 vs Jorge Rodriguez 7
Ralf Soquet 11 vs Johnny Archer 1
Alex Kazakis 11 vs Alex Pagulayan 3
John Morra 11 vs W. Hamamm 8