Vietnamese player shocks opponent 578 ranks higher at world tournament

On the afternoon of September 25, Nguyen Van Tai had his first match in Group P - World Championship 2024, against opponent Berkay Karakurt (Turkey). The Turkish player is no stranger to fans of 3-cushion billiards in the world , currently ranked 16th in the World Carom Billiards Federation (UMB Events Ranking). Meanwhile, this is the first time Van Tai has participated in the World Championship and is currently ranked 594th.

Berkay Karakurt started well and had a series of 6 to stop the Vietnamese player in the first rounds. However, Van Tai played very calmly to regain the game, returned a series of 6 and surpassed his opponent. The Vietnamese player even brought the match into the break after 9 rounds, leading 21-14.

Nguyen Van Tai won a dramatic victory over an opponent 578 places higher than him.

PHOTO: MINH DIEN BILLIARDS

The second half witnessed a dramatic battle between the two players. Nguyen Van Tai was evened out by his opponent at one point. When the score was 25-25, the Vietnamese player unexpectedly scored 9 points in the 14th turn, taking the lead 34-25. Despite some difficulty in the final turns when Karakurt broke away to stay close, Van Tai still managed to end the match with a 40-34 victory after 20 turns.

Winning this match, Van Tai has high hopes of entering the round of 32. Van Tai's next opponent is another strong player from Greece - Nikos Polychro (ranked 15th in the world). This match will take place at 12:00 on September 26 (Vietnam time).

Tran Thanh Luc has a bright chance to continue, when he won with a high score in the opening match.

PHOTO: MINH DIEN BILLIARDS

The match at the same time in Group N was an internal Vietnamese encounter between Tran Thanh Luc and Le Thanh Tien. This match was also very attractive and had high professional quality. Right from the starting turn, Thanh Luc had a series of 13 points. After that, Thanh Tien played very persistently and chased fiercely. In the final stretch of the match, Thanh Luc proved his mettle and won the final 40-35 after 19 turns.

The other formidable player in Group N of Turkish billiards is Kiraz Tolgahan (ranked 14th in the world). In the second match of Group N taking place at 12:00 on September 26, Thanh Luc will face Kiraz.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/billiards-tay-co-viet-nam-gay-soc-truoc-doi-thu-hon-578-bac-tai-giai-the-gioi-185240925185439984.htm