Generationpool.com Open in Charlotte/NC

Again it was time for the 2008 Generationpool.com Open (former BCA Open) which was now held in Charlotte/North Carolina instead of Las Vegas.

The Austrian, who surprisingly won the event in 2006 and finished 3rd in 2007, was again one of the favourites in this tournament. The event, which was filled with 64 women, was played in 2 stages. The first stage was held in the “Smoking cue” a known poolroom in Charlotte until the last 32. The winner out of the last 32 women was determined in the Charlotte Convention Center.

In the first match Ouschan simply crushed Melissa Morris (USA) with a 9:2 score. In the second match Melissa Little also from the USA was able to keep the match open until Ouschan put in another gear and won the match with 9:4.

"After the bad result at the first women professional tour event in San Diego, I feel a lot better again and I hope I can repeat the good results from last year. The first matches were alright, even though I had a few problems with my break due to a strain in my back. My next opponent is Xiao Ting Pan from China. I won the last 3 matches against Pan and I hope I can go on like that” said Ouschan during the event.

In the third round of the Generationpool.com Open Ouschan had a bad day and was simply crushed with a 9:1 score by Xiao Ting Pan from China.

„That was a pretty tough defeat. At the beginning of the match I actually felt very good and I had my stroke. But somehow the match turned out totally different. Pan played really strong and when I got some chances I couldn’t use it for my advantage and so the only thing I could do was to congratulate her for the good performance” said a disappointed Ouschan after the match.

On the next day Ouschan faced Debbie Schojdt in the losers round. The last match against Debbie Schojdt was just recently at the San Diego Classics where Ouschan was able to win with 9:7. Still a little bit angry about the bad performance against Pan, Ouschan found a good way to deal with these emotions and kicked Schjodt out of the event with a clear 9:2 score.

In the next match Ouschan had to play Iris Ranola from the Phillipines who just kicked out Jennifer Chen from Taiwan.

Iris Ranola seemed to be a tough opponent for the 3^rd placed Austrian at the World Championships 2008. In a lot of ups and downs Ouschan could’t take a lead throughout the whole match. At the final score of 8:8 Ouschan had the luck on her side and used a missed shot of Ranola for a 9:8 victory over the strong and unknown Philippine.

In the qualifying match for the quarter final Ouschan had to play Helena Thörnfeld from Sweden who has been living in the USA for a very long time. As well as the match against Pan it seemed like that Ouschan was just a participant in this match. Thörnfeld played strong and at the score of 0:6 Ouschan was able to use her first chance. The Austrian, who is known for her fighting qualities took over the table and played more aggressive than ever. With a strong performance Ouschan managed to win one game after another and won the match with a 9:7 score.

In the quarterfinal Ouschan had to face Gerda Hofstätter, who has been living in the USA for over 15 years now. Ouschan who had won the last couple of matches against Hofstätter, knows since she finished 2^nd in the last event in San Diego and just kicked out Kelly Fisher one round before that you should never underestimate her.

From the early beginning Ouschan used her chances and took over the lead. Hofstätter fought back and won a few games but wasn’t able to break Ouschans game. In the end Ouschan entered the semi final by defeating Gerda Hofstätter with 9:5.

„The performance against Gerda was really okay, which shows the score, but I was careful because I knew that she is in a good shape right now. I am really happy right now that I could advance to the semi final after my bad finish at the last event” said Ouschan.

In the semi final, which was broadcasted by the biggest sports channel ESPN, Ouschan had to play the 2-times World Champion(2005/06) Ga Young Kim from Korea.

“I am waiting for revenge, because at the last World Championships I gave away my lead and lost in the semi final against her. The match plan is going to be totally different because Kim is known for her aggressive game. So we are both very similar and the question will be who will take over the table first especially since it is only race to 7 in a TV match”.

The match didn’t go that well for Jasmin Ouschan, who couldn’t make good use of her few opportunities. Good rolls and a strong game was enough for Kim to win 7:2 over Ouschan. So the final was an all Asian battle between Ga Young Kim and Xiao Ting Pan.

„Unfortunately I wasn’t able to play my game in this match and all together Kim played better and deserved to win. After the bad result in San Diego I am of course happy with my finish here even though I wanted to win. It looks good for me again and I hope I can top that at the next event in 2 weeks in Michigan City” said Ouschan after the event.

Results:

 All Photos Copyright by Anne Craig WPBA