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> Women's pro billiards finals held in MC
Southsider2k12
post Mar 26 2007, 01:31 PM
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http://www.post-trib.com/sports/313086,billiards.article

QUOTE
Second-year player wins first pro championship

March 26, 2007
By Neal Boyer Post-Tribune correspondent

MICHIGAN CITY -- Xiaoting Pan lives in Shanghai, China, but she'll never forget Michigan City, Indiana.
Pan came halfway around the world to capture her first Women's Professional Billiards Association 9-ball title Sunday, 7-2 over Helena Thornfeldt in the Great Lakes Classic at the Blue Chip Casino.

Before receiving a large crystal trophy she bowed to the 200-plus fans. Flashing her first big smile of the day Pan waved off a translator and said: "I'm so excited. I want to thank the WPBA and sponsors. I'm so happy."

Last year's "Rookie of the year" doesn't have a nickname -- yet. She should consider "Break Master" after Sunday's sparkling performance.

The diminutive Pan, wielding a cue stick nearly as tall as she, sank two balls on average her first three breaks. That meant fewer balls to run and better shots.

She won the first six games, giving Thornfeldt just a few chances and the Swedish native who now lives in Atlanta couldn't capitalize.

"Pan played really well. I had a couple chances early. When she missed I wasn't left anything easy, (it was) either on the rail or long. My break was not good at all and she was right on today."

Thornfeldt has won four titles in her 13 years on tour, the last being the 2002 U.S. Open. Her nickname is "Sledgehammer" but she received a pounding Sunday, especially on breaks.

Chewing gum, she seemed more nervous than Pan but said "there wasn't really extra pressure. Pan works hard and has her (Chinese) coach here. She practices a lot and didn't look nervous.

"I played well here overall," said Thornfeldt who rallied past Karen "The Irish Invader" Corr 9-7 earlier. "I was behind the whole time."

In Game 2 Pan, 25, missed sinking the 2-ball with her cue near the rail. But Thornfeldt mishit the 2 and scratched. Each missed sinking the 6-ball before Thornfeldt got it on her second try but left a very tough shot and Pan ran the last three balls.

Pan knocked in three on the next break. Her foe scratched again and Pan ran six straight for a quick 3-0 lead.

Using power and spin Pan sank two balls on her next break and ran the table, then did it again the next game for a 6-0 bulge. Pan sank one on her next break but it was the cue ball and Thornfeldt ran all nine to avoid a shutout.

Thornfeldt finally sank a ball on her last break. She needed a bridge and extension to sink the 2-ball then knocked in two balls in one shot and ran the table. But it was too little, too late.

Pan broke and ran the table to end the match in 55 minutes. She was second in the previous tournament, first of the season, making history in the first all-Asian final.

This is the third straight year Blue Chip has hosted a tour stop. Ten-time WPBA Player of the Year Allison Fisher, the "Dutchess of Doom" with 65 career titles, was defending champ. A total of 64 women competed.

Thornfeldt beat two-time world champ Ga-Young Kim 7-5 in one semifinal. Pan led 5-0 before ousting Kelly "Kwik-Fire" Fisher 7-3 in the other semi.

Pan, via a translator, said she was "a bit surprised" to grab a 6-0 lead. "Maybe there was a little pressure on both. I'm more relaxed now after my first win."

She wore patches of her two Chinese sponsors, a dairy and pool table company, on her shirt. If she doesn't like "Break Master" maybe "Milk Maiden" would work.

ESPN will televise the match this summer.
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Max Main
post Mar 28 2007, 11:54 AM
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Live coverage would be cool.
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