| Malaysia's Moh Wins Thailand Open In Saraburi | ||
| Monday, May 29th 2006 | ||
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| Saraburi, August 28 -- It seems that a trip to the Land of Smiles is what that brings out the best of top Malaysian cueist Moh Keen Ho, who on Sunday played liked a maestro to defeat Thai veteran Anan Terananon 5-2 in the final of the SangSom Saraburi Thailand Open 2006. Neither in Saraburi nor in Bangkok exactly a year ago that the Malaysian had entered the final as a favourite, but still emerged as the winner on both occasions. He was rewarded for his fine show in the Thailand Open with a cash price of 100,000 baht and an impressive trophy, presented by Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornwat. Anan, a former Asian champion, received 50,000 baht. All the Thais who had been impressive in their earlier matches, for one reason or the other, faded and folded when they came across the Malaysian and Anan was no exception. Anan had earlier played brilliantly to defeat Mohammed Mustafa Shehab of the United Arab Emirates, Thai world No. 25 Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm and Supoj Saenla on his way to the final. While there were flashes of brilliance in Moh Keen's Ho performance on Sunday, which were thoroughly admired by an overflowing crowd, there was a certain element of luck that actually tilted the balance in his favour. With the frame score tied at 2-2 Moh Keen Ho had a brilliant clearance of 98 points in the fifth. This followed two lucky pots on the last blue and pink in the sixth to help him widen the gap to 4-2. Anan had no chance to stage a recovery in the seventh and a break of 40-plus enough to catapult Moh Keen Ho across the finish line. Moh Keen Ho said: "It is great to have come all the way from Malaysia and impress the local crowds. I am happy with the way I have played in the tournament, but I was a bit lucky in the final. I had seen Anan play earlier, but today he didn't play to his best." Moh Keen Ho added: "My recent participations in the professional Main Tour events have helped me improve a lot. I gained a lot from watching the professional players go about their business in the United Kingdom." Anan said: "I wasn't cueing very well today and when Moh Keen Ho went 4-2 up, I knew that the match was literally over. I had planned to put up a fight, but I never had a chance to do so." The final stages of the next ranking tournament of the season will be held in Hua Hin on July 11-16. Chinese sensation Ding Junhui and 2006 World Championship semifinalist Marco Fu of Hong Kong have already confirmed their participation in the tournament as wildcards together with Ratchapol and another leading player from the British Isles. FINAL: Moh Keen Ho (Malaysia) beat Anan Terananon 5-2 (76-52, 43-58, 102-24, 53-69, 133(98)-0, 86-69, 68-1) Courtesy of Hanif Hassan, BSAT |
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