Carolina Classics in Durham/NC

2 weeks after the historical bronz medal at the Men Straight Pool World Championship Jasmin Ouschan and her coach had a women pro event in Durham/NC on their schedule. The best women met for the „WPBA Carolia Classics“ in a small town called Durham. The event was held in a closed tobacco factory which was now revitalized with cafes, restaurants and event halls. The players field consisted again of 64 women and this time Jasmin Ouschan was seeded as the Nr.12.

At the beginning the Austrian met Michelle Rakin from the USA who also comes from a billiard familie and is known for her shot making ability. Ouschan didn´t let her get influenced by her game and took the control of the table. Even though she made a few mistakes Ouschan was able to win clearly with a 9:3 score. In the second round Ouschan played the in New York City living Asian Caroline Pao. Jasmin Ouschan played a fast match and entered the next round with a 9:4 victory over Pao.

„I am very happy with the tournament so far. I was able to adjust well to the tables and simply focus on my game. Of course I can still increase my performance but I am very confident.“

In the qualifying match for the final round Ouschan had to play Sarah Rousey from the USA. The match was pretty balanced at the beginning and nobody could take a lead. Ouschan who was obviously not so happy with her performance made a few unnecessary mistakes which gave Rousey a lot more time on the table. Game Nr.14 was filled with ups and downs. After a mistake by Rousey Ouschan was left with a very difficult 7 ball. Ouschan made the ball without any hesitation and played perfect position on the 8 ball. But this great moment didn´t last long after she left the 9 ball in the pocket. Ouschan who was shocked after her terrible miss managed to win another game until the American finished the match with a 7:9 score.

„Of course this 9 ball hurt a lot but I wasn´t so happy with my performance in this match anyway. I made way to many mistakes and I simply can´t be angry at her for taking these opportunities. The chance for entering the last 16 is still alive and that is what I am going to focus on now.“

In the losers round match for the final round Ouschan played Melissa Little from the USA who she already met a couple of times. After a short time Ouschan took a rapid lead and managed to keep it until the end. With a clear 9:2 victory over Little Ouschan entered the final round of the last 16 players.

„Well it can go on like that. That´s the performance I was thinking of and I am curious now who I am going to draw.“

In the final round Ouschan drew the reigning Nr.1 in the WPBA Ranking Kelly Fisher from Great Britain. Due to her last victory in Oklahoma Kelly Fisher is celebrating here her debut as the new Nr. 1 and is definitely not a very easy draw. Both players were highly concentrated and knew that this is not going to be an easy match. From the beginning the games went back and forward and both players showed their best pool until Fisher made a mistake at 3:4 to Ouschan. Jasmin Ouschan took that opportunity to increase her lead. From this moment on Ouschan put a lot of pressure on Fishers shoulders and played flawless pool. Kelly Fisher had no answer and Ouschan enetered the quarterfinal with a 9:4 victory over the Nr. 1.

„That was a great match for me. When you play against Kelly Fisher you have to bring your best performance, if not it will be difficult. She is a very good athlete and also deserves to be Nr.1. I am very happy that I could play my level and I hope that I can keep this feeling for my next match.“

In the quarterfinal Ouschan met Xiao Ting Pan from China. She has a lot of tournament wins on her credit, is a World Champion and is also known for her silent but deadly game. Until now Ouschan was leading the head to head statistic but just at the last Generationpool.com Open she suffered a painful 9:1 defeat.

Jasmin Ouschan started the match in the same style as in the match against Fisher. She took a rapid 6:1 lead but Pan fought back. Pan was able to win one game after another and Ouschan seemed to make a few mistakes. Even though Pan only missed one more game to even out, Ouschan stayed calm and focused. With a strong performance at the end Ouschan went to semi final with a 9:7 victory over Pan.

„In this match I made more mistakes than in the match against Fisher but it wasn´t necessarily worse. When Pan started to come closer I felt the pressure but I am very proud that it didn´t influence me and that I was still able to finish as I started. I am very happy about me being in the semi final and I am going to put all my energy together and prepare for the important last day.“

In the semi final Ouschan had to play Vivian Villareal who stood in the final at the last event in Oklahoma. The semi final, which was taped by Americas biggest sports channel ESPN, was a race to 7 and was also played with a 30 sec. shot clock due to the TV.

Jasmin Ouschan managed right away to find her rhythm and take Villareals first break. With a run-out in the next game Ouschan took a 2:0 lead. Vivian Villareal seemed to have a few problems to find her stroke and so she started to play a few safeties. But Ouschan, who obviously didn´t care about the tactical game of the woman from Texas, kept playing a strong game and winning one game after another. With a 7:1 victory Ouschan secured her spot in the final.

„It is going really well for me and it is a great feeling to bring your best game onto the table. Now there is only one more match and I hope that my energy reserves are enough. I have a very good feeling and I am really looking forward to the final.“

In the final Ouschan had to play Jeanette Lee from the USA. Jeanette Lee, who is an international superstar, was able to win the last matches against Ouschan and keep the head to head statistic one sided. She is also known for her entertaining way of playing pool which can be difficult for her opponents. But as in the matches before Ouschan didn´t let that get close to her and simply took over the table. With a very solid appearance she used her chances and focused towards the tournament victory. The American found no answer for Ouschans powerful game and so Jasmin Ouschan took her second tour title and first win in this year with an impressive 7:1 victory over Lee.

„I don´t know what to say. I am so happy about my performance throughout the whole event. I was able to play my game and I think that the 3rd place at the Men WC gave me the confidence to believe in my strengths. I also had a low point in this event but I fought back and I got rewarded. It is really a great feeling to finally show my game on the womens tour as well. The last 3 weeks were amazingly successful for my trainer and I and even though I know it can´t go on like that it gives me a lot of energy and motivation for the next tasks.“

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