Tran Thanh Luc has reached the semifinals of the Three-Cushion World Cup, marking a significant achievement for Vietnamese billiards. He defeated Forthomme and Merckx in the knockout stage to secure his spot. Three other Vietnamese players were eliminated in the round of 16. The semifinals will feature Luc against world number one Dick Jaspers on Sunday.
Vietnamese cueist Tran Thanh Luc has advanced to the semifinals of the Three-Cushion World Cup after notable victories. In the round of 16, he triumphed over Belgium’s Forthomme with a score of 50-31, completing the match in 36 innings. Early the next day, Luc continued his winning streak by defeating renowned player Merckx, scoring 50-25 in only 22 innings, marking a significant achievement as this is his first World Cup semifinal appearance.
This achievement makes Luc the 11th Vietnamese player to reach a World Cup semifinal in three-cushion carom. His performances came during the tournament held at Palacio de Los Deportes in Bogotá, Colombia, highlighting his skills and determination in a competitive field. Unfortunately, three of his compatriots were eliminated during the knockout stages of the event.
Chiem Hong Thai had a strong showing in the round of 16, defeating Sweden’s Torbjorn Blomdahl 50-29 in 26 innings. However, he faced a close loss against Turkey’s Tolgahan Kiraz, losing 49-50 in 38 innings during the quarterfinal. Moreover, top Vietnamese player Tran Quyet Chien was outmatched by world number one Dick Jaspers, succumbing to a 40-50 defeat in 31 innings.
Former champion Tran Duc Minh also did not progress beyond the round of 16, losing to Turkey’s Berkay Karakurt 26-50 in just 19 innings. The semifinals and final are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, with Luc set to compete against Jaspers in the first semifinal match. The second semifinal will feature Kiraz against fellow Turkish player Tayfun Tasdemir.
Luc, born in 1990 in Binh Duong, Vietnam, hails from a non-sporting family and began his billiards journey in 2011 post-military service. He quickly rose through the ranks, breaking into Vietnam’s top players by 2013. After stepping back from competitions in 2015 to make a living, he returned to the sport in 2018 and officially turned professional in 2019 with Ho Chi Minh City’s billiards team.
His recent successes include a silver medal at the Asian Championship 2024 and being the runner-up at the UMB World Three-Cushion Championship 2023 held in Binh Thuan. Luc’s journey illustrates his commitment and adaptation in a demanding sport, embodying the spirit of growth and perseverance.
Tran Thanh Luc’s achievements in the Three-Cushion World Cup demonstrate his skill and dedication. His historic advancement to the semifinals marks a significant milestone for Vietnamese billiards, reflecting the increasing competitiveness of the country’s players on the world stage. Despite eliminations of other Vietnamese cueists, Luc remains a beacon of hope as he prepares for his semifinal match against Dick Jaspers.
Original Source: e.vnexpress.net
