Jayson Shaw’s reign as Hanoi Open champion came to a dramatic conclusion after a hill-hill duel with Ko Pin Yi, who joins Johann Chua, Jefrey Roda, and Carlo Biado in the semifinals of the 2024 Mansion Sports Hanoi Open.
Returning for its second edition at the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium, the highly anticipated Hanoi Open Pool Championship is presented in partnership with leading sports investment firm Mansion Sports & Entertainment Group and renowned broadcaster Vietcontent.
The defending champion Jayson Shaw faced off against Edward Koyongian in a fierce back-and-forth battle, narrowly edging out the Indonesian cueist 10-7. With this hard-fought win, Shaw advanced to the quarterfinals, where he met his Reyes Cup rival, Ko Pin Yi, who had stopped Shaw’s Team Europe teammate, David Alcaide in the previous round.
Shaw started strong in the quarterfinal, showcasing his skillset with a 3-9 carom jump shot and a 1-9 combo to race ahead 4-0. However, Ko capitalised on Shaw’s mistakes, including a scratch in rack 7 and a missed 8-ball in rack 10, closing the gap to 6-6. The defending champion then rallied to claim three consecutive racks, reaching the hill at 9-6. But Shaw’s hopes of securing the final rack faltered when he missed a 1-ball, allowing Ko to fight back and level the score. In a gripping hill-hill finish, Ko Pin Yi seized the final rack, knocking Shaw out and ending his bid to defend the Hanoi crown.
Joining his Team Asia compatriot in the semifinals, Johann Chua was the first player to secure his spot tomorrow. Chua began his day with a commanding 10-3 victory over fellow Filipino Jefrey Ignacio. His quarterfinal match saw him seeking revenge against Albania's Kledio Kaçi, who had defeated Chua’s World Cup of Pool champion teammate, James Aranas, 10-8 in the Last 16.
The quarterfinal turned into a gruelling affair as Chua engaged in a tight rack exchange to disrupt Kaçi’s momentum. ‘Bad Koi’ Chua reached the hill first at 9-6, but a failed safety on the 2-ball gave Kaçi one last opportunity to mount a comeback. However, a costly scratch after potting the 7-ball sealed Kaçi’s fate, allowing Chua to close out the match and advance to his third Matchroom Major semifinal of 2024.
Hanoi Open qualifier Harry Vergara stunned fans in the Last 16 with a dramatic victory over five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening. Vergara sealed the 10-7 win in thrilling fashion, delivering a golden break in the final rack. However, his run ended in the quarterfinals, as Jefrey Roda edged him out with a hard-fought 10-8 victory, securing Roda’s first-ever spot in a Matchroom Major semifinal.
Carlo Biado also impressed fans with a remarkable comeback in his Last 16 match against Ko Ping Chung. Trailing 7-2, Biado mounted a stunning rally, winning eight consecutive racks to claim a spot in the quarterfinals. There, Biado faced Francisco Sanchez Ruiz in a clash between former world champions after Sanchez Ruiz had ended Skyler Woodward’s hopes of taking the Hanoi crown. Biado maintained his strong form, racing to a five-rack lead and securing his place in the semifinal with a 3-9 combo.
With Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, Ko Pin Yi, and Jefrey Roda all advancing, the Mansion Sports Hanoi Open semifinal lineup boasts an elite all-Asian cast. This promises to be an unforgettable showdown.
SEMIFINALS MATCHES
(12 pm – 13th October)
Ko Pin Yi (TPE) vs Jefrey Roda (PHI)
Johan Chua (PHI) vs Carlo Biado (PHI)
HANOI JUNIOR OPEN
The Hanoi Junior Open concluded today with an incredible final match between Johnrell G. Saguiped and Albert Januarta. Indonesian rising star Januarta claimed his first Junior Open Championship title with a commanding 9-5 victory, securing the top prize of $2,500.
Juniors aged 17 and under from around the world flocked to the vibrant city of Hanoi, each aspiring to make their mark as the next generation of pool superstars, competing for a share of the $10,000 prize fund.
SPECTATOR TICKETS
Spectators will be able to catch the action live from the Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium in Hanoi throughout the week, with tickets available here.
SCHEDULE
The Mansion Sports Hanoi Open Pool Championship will take place from 8-13 October, with the semi-finals starting from 12 pm tomorrow (13 October).
October 13th:
Semifinal: 12 pm – 4:30 pm
Final: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
LIVE SCORING
The only way to track all matches across the Mansion Sports Hanoi Open Pool Championship, as well as the latest scores, seeded draws, and fixtures at Matchroom events is through the WNT Live Scoring site here.
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