Francisco Sanchez Ruiz secured a hard-fought victory at the 2024 Peri Open in Da Nang, Vietnam, after defeating Dimitris Loukatos 13-11 in the final.
The Spaniard’s win not only added another title to his already impressive career but also brought Ruiz a step closer to securing a spot at the highly anticipated Mosconi Cup later this year.
Ruiz started the match in commanding fashion, racing to an early 4-0 lead, showcasing his signature 'El Ferrari' style. However, Loukatos, determined not to go down easily, clawed his way back into contention. In a pivotal moment during the 18th rack, Loukatos executed a stunning kick shot on the 2-ball, escaping Ruiz’s safety and sparking an impressive five-rack run. This surge gave Loukatos an 11-10 lead, putting him within sight of victory.
Just as the momentum appeared to shift, Ruiz responded. After escaping a tough safety laid by Loukatos, Ruiz regained control of the table, reaching the hill before clearing the table in the final rack to secure the 13-11 victory. Ruiz said: "Winning the Peri Open is unbelievable. I really had to dig deep in the Last 32 against Thorsten Hohmann when I was down 8-5, but I managed to turn it around and win 9-8. The semi-final against Mickey Krause was another intense battle which reached hill-hill. This has definitely been one of the toughest tournaments I’ve played, and to come out on top, especially with so many fans here in Vietnam, is an incredible feeling."
Ruiz’s journey to triumph in Da Nang was no easy feat. Along the way, he defeated some of the sport’s top talents, including Scottish Open champion Duong Quoc Hoang, UK Open champion Robbie Capito, and European Open champion Mickey Krause. His triumph earned Ruiz not only the Peri Open trophy but also a crucial $25,000 in ranking points, strengthening his chances of representing Team Europe again this year at the Mosconi Cup.
With this victory, Ruiz reaffirms his status as one of the top contenders in international pool. He now sets his sights on the upcoming Mansion Sports Hanoi Open, where he hopes to continue his winning streak and secure his spot on Team Europe for the Mosconi Cup alongside Eklent Kaçi and Mickey Krause.
As the World Nineball Tour season progresses and players vie for the final Mosconi Cup spots on Team Europe and Team USA, events like the 2024 Peri Open are pivotal in shaping the sport’s future and defining the path of its top competitors. Fans eager to witness the next chapter in the World Nineball Tour can purchase tickets for the Mansion Sports Hanoi Open here. Jack Mitchell — Matchroom Multi Sport
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