VICTOR CHANDLER WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP

Cardiff International Arena / Final Day - Sunday 9th July
Semi Final Results - Comment & Quotes

Ismael Paez (Mex) bt Earl Strickland (USA) 11 - 9

Morro Sinks the Pearl!
 
In yet another astonishing comeback at the 2000 Victor Chandler World Pool Championship, grinning Mexican veteran Ismael Paez KO'd big favourite Earl Strickland here in Cardiff this afternoon to move into this evening's race to 17 rack final.

Strickland, who appeared to be hyped up for the match shot into a 5 - 0 lead as he cashed in on frequent errors by Paez. The diminutive Angeleno periodically nipped back at Earl's lead but when the American found himself 9 - 3 to the good, Paez looked dead and buried.

Perhaps spurred on by a week of epic turnarounds, Paez then got his act together and incredibly put together a winning streak of 8 racks to take the match 11 - 9, seal his place in the final and guarantee a minimum $30.000.

The climax of the match hinged on an incredible incident when the scores stood at 9 racks each. Strickland had a difficult long cut on the 9-ball to go ahead, and although he executed the shot perfectly the cue ball dropped into the centre pocket to give the rack to Ismael.

Three shots later the match was over as the 49 year-old broke, shot the one ball and then closed it out with a 3 - 9 combination.

'Morro' saluted his large bank of supporters who he has won over during the week with his jumping bean antics and big smile.

After the match Paez said, " When I play this sport, I am like a warrior - never surrender! I thought positive all the time and there was never a point I didn't believe I could win.

" I wasn't nervous but I didn't play good at the beginning. He is a very special player and he makes a lot of moves. He's talking all the time, 'Nice shot Ismael' and all that stuff, but that don't bother me.

" I had Ernesto Dominguez (fellow Mexican player) behind me and he kept telling me I could do it. The fans were cheering me too and I enjoyed that.

" A race to 17 final is fine for me because the longer the game, the best player wins. I don't care who I play tonight as I have respect for every player in this tournament. I have beaten plenty of great players before but never in a big tournament like this. The World Championship is my dream."

send by luke.riches