23-07-2025
World Pool Championship ace Johann Chua surges into next round as he wins rack in an instant thanks to little-known rule
A POOL star sailed into the next round of the World Nineball Pool Championship with the help of an expert trick shot.
The Philippines' Johann Chua thrashed Mohamed Al-Balkhi 9-0 in the first round.
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And he got off to a flyer after quick thinking saw him take the opening frame.
Al-Balkhi first attempted a sublime trickshot, jumping the cue ball over the black to hit the one ball.
The one ball then cannoned into the nine ball which hit the jaws of the pocket but refused to drop in.
That left Chua with the opportunity to win the first rack and he took it with ease, knocking the one ball into the nine, with both dropping into the pocket to put the 33-year-old into the lead.
After that it was plain sailing for Chua as he racked up eight more frames to win the match.
The world No.5 now takes on Oliver Szolnoki in the next round.
Elsewhere British pair Jayson Shaw and Chris Melling also progressed to the second round, beating Khaled Al-Otaibi and Riku Romppanen respectively.
Shaw, who is searching for his first major since winning the 2017 US Open, was happy with his performance despite a few mistakes early on.
He said: 'I played well overall — made a few mistakes, but I managed to survive and capitalise on my opponent's errors, which ultimately helped me secure the win. I'm looking forward to the next match.
'I'm hoping for a deep run, but I'm taking it one match at a time and staying focused.'
