Kelly Fisher Wins US Open 9-Ball Championships

It was a great day for Kelly Fisher! Not only did she secure a U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship title, she scored $15,000 for the win AND launched herself into #1 of the WPBA's year-to-date rankings!

And she did it decisively, defeating newcomer Iris Ranola from the Philippines 7-1 in the finals. Iris arrived in the finals after defeating Sarah Ellerby 7-2 in the quarter-final, followed by Korea's Yu Rum Cha 7-6 in the semi-final. Kelly Fisher suffered a third round loss to Austria's Jasmin Ouschan, but came back strong, defeating Texan Vivian Villarreal in the quarters 7-6, then Jeanette Lee 7-5.

In the final match, an early miss on the seven ball by Ranola gave Fisher the first game. She broke and ran out to pull ahead 2-0, then won the next game after a miss on the five by both players (3-0). She broke and ran out again (4-0), and won the next game 5-0. Iris answered with a run of her own (5-1). But it was a last run she'd see. Kelly won it going away, 7-1.

Ranola, in only her second WPBA event, took home $9,000 for second place, and cracked the elusive Top 16 of the WPBA's rankings!