Eklent Kaci and Fedor Gorst are set to compete in the final of the WPA World 9-Ball Championship at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal City Sports Hall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Presented in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Arabian Billiard & Snooker Federation (SABSF), and the WPA’s promoter Matchroom Sport Limited, the Championship has been a beacon for enthusiasts globally.
Semi-Final Results:
– Eklent Kaci vs. Johann Chua: 11-6
– Fedor Gorst vs. Wojciech Szewczyk: 11-8
Kaci, despite winning the lag, initially struggled to find his rhythm. Both players exchanged racks until the fifth, where Kaci scratched on the break, giving Chua an opportunity to set up a 2-6-9 combo and pull ahead by four racks.
Kaci turned the tide in the ninth rack by potting the 2-ball after Chua’s failed safety attempt. This marked the beginning of his comeback, eventually leading to a nine-rack streak that secured his spot in the final.
In the second semi-final, former champion Gorst faced a tough challenge from Szewczyk. The match saw several tied scores at 2-2, 4-4, and 6-6. Gorst shifted momentum in the 13th rack with a precise jump shot on the 2-ball, taking the lead at 7-6. Szewczyk missed a crucial 8-ball shot in the 16th rack, allowing Gorst to reach the hill at 10-6.
Szewczyk managed to take two more racks, but Gorst capitalized on Szewczyk’s failure to hook him on the 2-ball, securing his position in the final for the second time.
Final Match Details:
– Date and Time: Saturday, June 8th at 19:30 KSA / 17:30 BST
– Players: Eklent Kaci vs. Fedor Gorst
– Broadcast: Sky Sports, SSC, Shahid VIP Sports, MENA, and DAZN
The final promises to be an exciting race to 15 racks, showcasing the skills of two of the sport’s top athletes.
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* Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/matchroompool
