Defending champion Liu Song of China and Thailand's Noppadon Noppachorn clash in the final of the SangSom Hua Hin Cup 2009 today in Bangkok. Liu Song, a former world under-21 championship runner-up, played well to upstage Thailand's Phaithoon Phonbun 4-2 to march into the final on May 14. Noppadon, a former world amateur champion, on his part, made it to the title showdown by scoring an equally impressive 4-1 victory over Welsh professional Daniel Wells, No. 68 in the world rankings, at the Hua Hin Grand Hotel.
Liu Song and Phaithoon seemed equally poised at the beginning of the match but then the Chinese cueist, No. 53 in the world professional rankings, started inching away.
Liu Song, though lacking the form that had won him the title last year, had all the weapanory to gain control of the match and two breaks of 50-plus in the later stages of the clash carried him to the final, winner of which receives 100,000 baht in cash prize.
Wells, who broke the hearts of the local fans after edging their hero Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm 4-3 late on May 13 night, winning the deciding frame on the black ball, was a bit below par against Noppadon.
However, the Welshman still succeeded in using the opportunity to impress the crowd with a break of 94 in the third, the only only frame he was able to capture in the semifinal.
In the best-of-nine frame final on May 15, Noppadon may enjoy a very slight edge over his rival.
The Thai veteran has been in excellent touch since last season, when he won two ranking tournaments, co-sponsored by CAT Telecom and the Sports Authority of Thailand. He scored a brilliant clearance of 143 points in his first match of the event on May 11.
The final will be televised live by NBT (Channel 11) and trueVisions (channel 62), starting 3 pm on May 15.
Source: ACBS Website
