WC2002 - Semi-Finals Update

Two of the biggest guns in the world of 9 ball are through to tomorrow's final of the 2002 World Pool Championship here at the Cardiff International Arena - American legend Earl Strickland and Fillipino Francisco Bustamante.

Francisco Bustamante took to the table against Ching-Shun Yang of the Chinese Taipei. Yang, ranked the Chinese Taipei's no.1, gave Bustamante a run for his money, taking the game to 5-5 after running three racks. But the biggest breaker in the game edged ahead to 9-7, and won the tie 11-7.

Another player breaking well was Earl Strickland - not the same Earl Strickland that earned himself a warning from the ref earlier in the afternon. Tonight we saw Earl the Legend, playing fast and fluent almost from the start and not muttering to himself or anyone or complaining about anything.

He took a 4-1 lead before scratching on the break, but Okumura missed a sitter, and Earl was back at the table looking ultra-professional to quickly build up a 9-2 lead. Okumura started playing more aggressively, and trusted to look once too often when he missed a kicked down-the-rail 4-7 combo (sounds risky and it was!). Strickland got it though, and more mistakes from his opponent allowed him to take the game 11-5.

That leaves a dream line-up for tomorrow's final. After the death of his baby daughter two days ago, Bustamante decided to stay on and play for his country, and as today will certainly have the support of the crowd. Strickland will be looking to win this title for a third time and prove he's still a tournament winner - it's going to be a good game!

You can find the last 16 knockout table in our 2002 World Championship section..