Qatar’s Waleed Majed plays a break shot during his match against Philippines’ Lee Van Corteza in the WPA World 9-Ball Championship at Al Sadd Sports Club yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji

 

They say, ‘when you want it the most, there’s no easy way out’.

And so Qatar’s Waleed Majed was hoping that he plays the first match of the knockouts at WPA World 9-Ball Championship against either Mika Immonen or Darren Appleton — both former world champions. “If I play a strong player, then it would be good for me. Playing against a big name helps me play better,” Majed said.

The 26-year-old was instead drawn against world number four Lee Van Corteza, another strong contender in the field.

Yesterday, Majed created history becoming the first ever Qatar player to make it to the round of 32 at the WPA World 9-Ball Championship with a 11-6 win over Corteza at Al Sadd Sports Club.

Meanwhile, defending champion Thorsten Hohmann was shocked 11-9 in a late match by Dutchman Marc Teutscher. The German was leading for a large part of the match before Teutscher overhauled the world number one to set up a clash with China’s Li He Wen.

Earlier in the day, Majed was consistent with his shots throughout the match even as his Filipino opponent uncharacteristically struggled with even straightforward shots.

The only time Corteza showed signs of recovery was when he halted Majed’s four-frame winning run from 5-3 to 8-3 with two frame wins of his own.

With score at 8-5 in favour of Majed, Corteza had the chance to close the gap further considering it was his break in the next frame but he only managed to pot the cue, leaving it for Majed to clean it up.

With score at 10-5, Corteza messed up a straight one-ball on his break. The two then played hide and seek before Corteza closed out the game only prolonging what looked like the inevitable. Majed closed out the match in the next frame.

“I played well today but there were a few times when I didn’t like my break,” Majed, who started playing pool at the age of 11, said yesterday.

“I was only looking at the table, not thinking about the opponent and trying to do my best.”

On his way to the final round, Majed beat Detlef Grzella of South Africa 9-2 in the first match and then followed it up with a 9-6 win over world number 28 Fabio Petroni of Italy.

Despite the comfortable wins, Majed said he was unhappy with the way he played in those two games. “I did my best in practice coming into the tournament. But I didn’t like the way I played my first match. I made a lot of mistakes in the first two matches. This match here, I liked my performance barring a few illegal breaks,” he said.

Asked if there was any nervousness facing Corteza, Majed said, “No. For me it was just another match. I do not think about the opponent. I am only focused on my match. I was only focused at playing better. If I don’t play well, I cannot win against any professional player. So that is important for me. In fact, the win has given me confidence.”

Majed said he aims for “performing well and represent Qatar at the world stage”.

“My good results are a gift to Qatar for their support to me. I want to see Qatar’s flag flying higher because of my performances,” he added.

By the way, the result meant Majed also had his wish granted. He plays Appleton next.

The Brit, champion here in 2012, beat compatriot Daryl Peach 11-3 to advance. Peach also is a former champion, having won the title in 2007

Meanwhile, 2013 finalist Antonio Gabica of Philippines beat Iran’s Medhi Rasekhi 11-7. Gabica will next play Korea’s Ryu Seung Woo, who beat Italy Bruno Muratore 11-9.

 

Day five results (Rd64)

 

Wang Can (CHN) 11 - 9 Warren Kiamco (PHL); Raymond Faraon (PHL) 11 – 5 Liu Cheng Chieh (TPE); Elmer D Haya (PHL) 11 - 4 Francisco Felicilda (PHL); Hijikata Hayato (JPN) 11 - 8 Tanaka Masaaki (JPN); Waleed Majed (QAT) 11 – 6 Lee Van Corteza (PHL); Darren Appleton (GBR) 11 - 3 Daryl Peach (GBR); Konstantin Stepanov (RUS) 11 – 8 Andreas Gerwin (SWE); Johann Chua (PHL) 11 – 4 Daniele Corrieri (ITA); Mario He (AUT) 11 – 9 Alex Pagulayan (CAN); Jeong Young Hwa (KOR) 11 – 9 Jason Shaw (GBR); Radoslaw Babica (POL) 11 – 3 Manuel Gama (POR); Neils Feijen (NED) 11 - 4 Salaheldeen Al Rimawi (UAE); Carlo Biado (PHL) 11 - 6 Meiszko Fortunski (POL); Jason Klatt (CAN) 11 -6 Jeffrey De Luna (PHL); Naoyuki Oi (JPN) 11 – 8 Dennis Orcollo (PHL); Ko Pin Yi (TPE) 11 – 3 Sundeep Gulati (IND); Hsu Kai Lun (TPE) 11 – 6 Fu Che Wei (TPE); Wu Jiaqing (CHN) 11 - 4 Lo Li Wen (TPE); Stephan Cohen (FRA) 11 - 5 Huidji See (NED); Cheng Yu Hsuan (TPE) 11 -9 Chang Yu Lung (TPE); Shane Van Boening (USA) 11 - 9 Chang Jung Lin (TPE); Dang Jing Hu (CHN) 11 – 6 Karl Boyes (GBR); Tohru Kuribayashi Tohru (JPN) 11 - 9 Alexander Kazakis (GRE); Nick Ekonomopoulos (GRE) 11 - 5 Fabio Pertoni (ITA); Albin Ouschan (AUT) 11 - 5 Oliver Ortmann (GER); Li He Wen (CHN) 11 - 7 Dimitri Jungo (SUI); Roman Hybler (CZE) 11 - 7 Mika Immonen (FIN); Nick Van Den Berg (NED) 11 - 8 Aloysius Yapp (SIN); Antonio Gabica (PHI) 11 - 7 Medhi Rasekhi (IRI); Marc Teutscher (NED) 11 - 9 Thorsten Hohmann (GER); Ryu Seung Woo (KOR) 11 - 9 Bruno Muratore (ITA)

 

 

 

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