Chinese Taipei’s No.1 ranked player, Wang Hung Hsiang also had a slice of luck when he qualified by a mere one rack difference as all three from Group G, Li He Wen(CHN), Chan Keng Kwang(SIN) and Wang all won one match each to bring it down to rack difference.
Defending champion Chang Jung-Lin, was also made to sweat when he lost to
China ’s Fu Jian Bo in his final group match and again, it was down to rack difference and the Taiwanese barely scrapped through with one rack more to his name.
The luck for the Taiwanese didn’t end in the group stages as Wu Chia-Ching got his time with lady luck in the quarterfinal against
Korea ’s Ryu Seung Woo. Ryu was in control of the match going up 6-2, only to drop errors in the next few racks to allow Wu in with a chance. Ryu made a basic error on 8-8 that left the crowd stunned to gift-wrap the game for Wu.
Going into the final four today, it is an all Chinese Taipei affair but which Taiwanese will continue having luck on their side?
Semi-final
Chang Jung-Lin vs Wu Chia-Ching
The two younger players in the Chinese Taipei team will slug it out in the first game in what will be an enticing match-up. Chang seems to always find his form when the Guinness 9-Ball Tour comes around as proven in the first leg last month in
Taipei . He suffered a dip in form after winning the grand finals in 2007 and was only given a place in the first leg on a special invite by the organizers. He came in, and swept all before him to take the first title in an unexpected victory against the impressive Joven Bustamante(PHI).
Wu on the other hand, had to pull out all the stops to ensure qualification when he went up against
Korea ’s Ryu Seung Woo. He was a picture of nerves when he was 6-2 down but managed to hold out and pull himself back to level things up before taking the final rack to setup a meeting with his compatriot.
Both payers have not been impressive on this leg so far and it could sway either way. Whoever gets the early lead might just end up winning it in a tight battle between the two youngsters.
Yang Ching Shun vs Wang Hung Hsiang
Yang is probably the most consistent Chinese Taipei player when it comes to the Tour as he proved in 2007 when he was the No.1 ranked player on the Tour’s ranking chart with a runway score of 245 points.
His opponent, Wang, is a picture of inconsistency when playing outside his country as he does not settle fast enough in matches and can get disheartened if things don’t go his way in the first few racks.
Battle of experience between two of the best players on the Tour. Tough one to call and it might go down to the wire to decide who makes it through.
