Vietnamese pool player Duong Quoc Hoang started his US Open Pool Championship 2024 campaign with promise, clinching two initial victories. However, his run was halted in the round of 32 by former world champion Shane Van Boening of the USA, who won the match 10-6.

Hoang entered the tournament on a strong note, securing a convincing 10-3 victory over Spain's Jonas Souto in the round of 64, signaling his readiness for the challenges ahead. His compatriot, Do The Kien, also showed promise but fell to Austria's Albin Ouschan with a score of 7-10.

In his pivotal match against Van Boening, Hoang started strong. The match opened with Van Boening’s break, leading to a fortuitous pot of the two ball. A conservative shot on the eight allowed Hoang to take the first rack, establishing an early 1-0 lead.

Hoang continued to impress in the second rack with precise shots that extended his lead to 2-0. However, Van Boening’s resilience and tactical play soon turned the tables, as he won three consecutive racks to overtake Hoàng at 3-2, before leveling the match at 3-3.

Van Boening’s experience was evident as he dominated the next sequences, clinching three straight racks to lead 6-3. He maintained his momentum, pushing the score to 8-5 and then 9-6, ultimately sealing the match at 10-6.

Hoang’s exit from the 2024 US Open Pool Championship marks the end of a notable performance where he demonstrated significant skill and potential, only to be outmatched by the seasoned prowess of Shane Van Boening.

Dai Nam