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Heavy Hitters Hit the Mat
by Kirstin Pires

Las Vegas--The list of players already knocked out of action reads like a who's who of pool greats. But with a field as strong as the one assembled here for the $150,000 Camel Pro 8-Ball Open, that's pretty much unavoidable. Among the two-and-outs are, surprisingly, are last year's first and second place winners, Mike Coltrain, Raleigh, N.C., and Earl Strickland, Greensboro, N.C. Also making an early exit was Jeremy Jones, Houston, Texas, who last year won the Atlanta Camel stop. Jones bowed out after two byes and two losses.

Ralf Souquet, Manching, Germany, hot off a win at the Matchroom-produced World Masters 9-Ball tournament in Essex, England, eked out a disappointing 49th place. "I didn't play good," the stoic Euro-star said. "I haven't slept well the last four nights."

Still in action are a constellation of billiards stars with an international flavor, including Filipinos Francisco Bustamante, Jose Parica, Efren Reyes, Warren Kiamco and Santos Sambajon; Finland's Mika Immonen; Japanese shooters Kunihiko Takahashi, Satoshi Kawabata and Takeshi Okumura. From France, Vincent Facquet is still undefeated.

The action continues Thursday as the remaining 24 players shoot for the $30,000 top prize.

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The tension tightens as the field closes in on the $30,000 top prize.

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