#1 RANKED JASMIN OUSCHAN WINS WPBA MASTERS

by Paul · January 7, 2011

Ouschan Defeats Karen Corr in a 7-6 Thriller!
MT. PLEASANT, MI – The WPBA Masters enjoyed a thrilling conclusion when Jasmin Ouschan of Austria defeated veteran professional and #3 ranked Karen Corr, the “Irish Invader” by the narrowest of margins! With a title on the line, Ouschan broke and ran the rack to the eight ball. Then, for a terrifying second, the eight hung in the pocket… The crowd sucked in a collective breath… and the ball fell in!

Jasmin took a deep breath of her own, clean-stroked in the nine ball and collapsed on the arena floor in relief. The win came after a series of uncharacteristic misses by the young champion. In a tearful speech to the fans, she explained that in the end she felt she’d made all the mistakes she could have and it was time to power on through.

And she did: Karen Corr, ahead 6-4 in the race, scratched on the break and it was the last time she’d get to the table. Jasmin took ball in hand, ran that rack, and broke and ran the next two racks in record time.

WPBA MASTERS: JASMIN OUSCHAN WINS 1ST SEMI-FINAL
#1 Ranked Ouschan Squeaks by Kelly Fisher 7-6
MT. PLEASANT, MI – #1 ranked Jasmin Ouschan of Austria has now grabbed her seat for the final match of the inaugural WPBA Masters. She defeated #7 ranked Kelly Fisher of Great Britain in an action-packed semi-final match for the ESPN cameras.

Kelly Fisher won the lag and looked confident in a great runout through the first rack. However, after coming up just short on a nine ball and pocketing it for the first game win, an unlikely scratch on the cue ball put Jasmin back at the table for a 1-0 lead.

From there it seemed to be all Jasmin as she pulled together a 4-0 lead in the short race to seven. But Fisher fought her way back! To the thrill of the nearly sold-out crowd, the score was knotted at 6-6 before Jasmin pulled out a final game victory for the match and her first finals appearance since 2010’s World 10-Ball Championships.

Now on deck is #3 ranked Karen Corr, matching up against USA favorite, #10 ranked Monica Webb of Georgia. The winner of this match will face Ouschan in the 5 p.m. finals.

Full brackets are available at www.wpba.com. A blow by blow of the final match will run on the site during the championship.
About the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA)
The WPBA was established in 1976 as the Women’s Professional Billiard Alliance, and will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2011 as the oldest pro player organization in the sport. The WPBA sanctions and produces the Women’s Pro Billiard Tour, which features ESPN-televised events with the world’s greatest women players. Visit www.wpba.com for more. The WPBA Classic Tour is sponsored by the American Poolplayers Association, Diamond Billiards, Iwan Simonis, Cuetec Cues, Delta 13, Pooldawg, Mueller Recreational Products and Aramith.

About the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is the Midwest’s premier AAA Four Diamond gaming and hospitality destination offering top-name entertainment year-round, award-winning dining, high stakes bingo and a full-service spa. For more information, visit www.soaringeaglecasino.com

WPBA MASTERS: 4TH ROUND RESULTS
#1 Ranked Jasmin Ouschan Upset By Georgia’s Monica Webb
MT. PLEASANT, MI – Action continues tonight in the WPBA Masters at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, featuring the best female billiard players in the world this week as the Women’s Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters kicks off the 2011 Women’s Pro Billiard Tour season.

Former Lansing resident and Hall of Famer Ewa Mataya Laurance was defeated 9-7 in a tight match against reigning US Open champion Ga Young Kim of Korea. Ewa plays back next against former junior champion Sarah Rousey.

#1 ranked Jasmin Ouschan of Austria was also defeated at the hands of #10 ranked Monica Webb of Georgia.

Losers of the fourth round matches are now competing to stay alive in the final 8. Winners compete at 7:30 p.m.

Round 4 Results:
Monica Webb d. Jasmin Ouschan 9-1
Kelly Fisher d. Allison Fisher 9-3
Ga Young Kim d. Ewa Laurance 9-7
Karen Corr d. Tamara Rademakers 9-4

Full brackets are available at www.wpba.com.

Former Lansing Resident Ewa Mataya Laurance Defeats Black Widow!
MT. PLEASANT, MI – Action continues tonight in the WPBA Masters at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, featuring the best female billiard players in the world this week as the Women’s Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters kicks off the 2011 Women’s Pro Billiard Tour season.

In an exciting match for the packed house of local fans, former Lansing resident, BCA and WPBA Hall of Famer Ewa Mataya Laurance defeated “The Black Widow” Jeanette Lee 9-1! Ewa plays back at noon tomorrow in Round 4. Jeanette now plays out of the one-loss side looking for a shot at the final four.

Round 3 Results:
Jasmin Ouschan d. Julie Kelly 9-5
Monica Webb d. Jennifer Barretta 9-4
Allison Fisher d. Helena Thornfeldt 9-6
Kelly Fisher d. Sarah Rousey 9-3
Ga Young Kim d. Nicole Keeney 9-2
Ewa Mataya Laurance d. Jeanette Lee 9-1
Karen Corr d. Line Kjorsvik 9-8
Tamara Rademakers d. Kim White 9-6

Winners bracket matches continue this evening followed by another one-loss round, where the next eight eliminations will take place. Full brackets are available at www.wpba.com.

Concurrent with the WPBA Masters is the Soaring Eagle Open, featuring amateur 8-Ball and 9-Ball tournaments in men and women’s divisions, with over $10,000 in prize money. Visit www.soaringeagleopen.com for more information.
About the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA)
The WPBA was established in 1976 as the Women’s Professional Billiard Alliance, and will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2011 as the oldest pro player organization in the sport. The WPBA sanctions and produces the Women’s Pro Billiard Tour, which features ESPN-televised events with the world’s greatest women players. Visit www.wpba.com for more. The WPBA Classic Tour is sponsored by the American Poolplayers Association, Diamond Billiards, Iwan Simonis, Cuetec Cues, Delta 13, Pooldawg, Mueller Recreational Products and Aramith.

When it was only 32 Players Remaining
MT. PLEASANT, MI – The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is hosting the best female billiard players in the world this week as the Women’s Professional Billiard Association WPBA Masters kicks off the 2011 Women’s Pro Billiard Tour season.

16 players have now been eliminated, including: Jacqui Herrera, Scotland’s Val Finnie, local Renee Havel, Cheryl Pritchard, top 16 seed Melissa Little (upset by fellow Colorado player Laura Smith); Tina Hess, Joanne Ashton, Morgan Steinman, Borana Andoni, Dawn Hopkins, Jessica Barnes, Melissa Rademakers, Connie O’Heron, Jana Montour, Erin McManus, and local favorite, WPBA Hall of Famer Vicki Paski of Grand Ledge, MI.

Winners bracket matches continue this evening followed by another one-loss round, where the next eight eliminations will take place. Full brackets are available at www.wpba.com.