Wiley Slams Strickland at U.S. Open Billiards Championship

Wiley Slams Strickland at U.S. Open Billiard Championshipby Rick DavisThe three o’clock round saw yet another four-pack of seeded billiards players take a loss as players fought to stay in the top 36. Santos Sambajon Jr. defeated Evgeny Stalev 11-9 while Tony Robles defeated Mike Davis 11-4. Nearby Jason Klatt bested Luc Salvas and Frankie Hernandez squeaked past Shannon Daulton 11-10. That left 14 seeded players in the mix while everyone took a break until the evening rounds.Discuss the U.S. Open 9-Ball ChampionshipU.S. Open 9-Ball Championships image galleryU.S. Open 9-Ball Championships Tournament Brackets Seven o’clock saw some grinders on each side of the chart as everyone tried to reach towards one more round. The notable match on the one-loss side was Tony Robles defeat over Mike Davis 11-7. On the winners’ side Charles Bryant sent Trevor Braymore west by a 11-8 margin while Rodolfo Luat did one rack better defeating Darren Appleton 11-7.
The seeded showdown on the winners’ side was Robb Saez versus Mika Immonen where Saez came out on top 11-7 while Troy Frank bested Ryan McCreesh double-hill in the last match to finish in the round. Saez said, “I played good and started off with a break and run. Made a nine on the break…held my composure. He just didn’t play like the normal Mika, he missed a few shots that the whole building was shocked. He’s a great player, one of the best around, but maybe he didn’t expect me to fire back like I did. I just kept mentally strong and made it happen.”At nine o’clock all eyes were on C.J. Wiley and Earl Strickland in the center court TV match. Wiley jumped out to an early 4-1 lead by shooting the five into the rail to bank-combo the nine. Strickland took another than at 6-2 Wiley fouled followed by Strickland running to nine and rattling it in the pocket. Wiley took another pair of racks from there to go up 10-3. The next rack Wiley made two on the break, a first for the match, and bridge over a ball to shoot into the corner and draw back. He got out of line and eventually missed the five only to watch as Strickland rattled the eight! Wiley tapped in the last two to defeat Strickland 11-3. This was the first match of the round to finish at a blazing hour and ten minutes. Action in the round continues with many top seeds still in play followed by a dozen match this evening before the top twenty return tomorrow.

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