By InsidePOOL StaffWith a stunning sudden-death win against Earl "The Pearl" Strickland, Canadian champion John Horsfall has advanced to the finals of the 13th Annual International Challenge of Champions.  The event, which is being held at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, has been going o­n since yesterday afternoon and will end tonight.The format changed today from yesterday's quick race to 7 to two races to 5 with a o­ne-game tiebreaker in the case of a tie.  Horsfall took an early lead in the first set, with Strickland coming up to meet him.  Trading games to tie at the hill, Horsfall played a long cut shot o­n the 9 ball off the rail to clinch the first set.
In the second set, it was Strickland who looked confident and cool as he quickly jumped to a 5-2 lead.  Unlike yesterday, today's match has seen more break-and-runs from the players, and this match was no exception.  Usually, if o­ne player made a mistake in a rack, he could count o­n his opponent charging him for it.  With Strickland o­n the hill, he broke and ran out, forcing the set into sudden death.To Strickland's chagrin, Horsfall won the lag, which is almost certainly the deciding factor with players of this caliber.  Horsfall made two balls o­n the break and played out the rack perfectly to line up for the 6-9 combo, making it with a fist pump and a cheer.Francisco Bustamante and Efren Reyes will play soon, and the winner of that match will meet Horsfall in the finals.  The winner of the finals will take home $50,000. Visit InsidePOOL for the latest updates from the world of billiards and pool.
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