Gabica advances in Qatar 9-ball

MANILA, Philippines – Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica whipped Daryl Peach of Great Britain, 11-6, to barge into the semifinal round of the Qatar International Open 9-Ball Championship in Doha, Qatar late Sunday.

Gabica, who won the gold medal in the Doha Asiad in 2006, kept the momentum of his 11-7 victory over Taiwanese Wang Hsiang Hung, 11-7, in the quarterfinal round and dominated Peach with his steady game.

He takes on Finland’s top player Mika Immonen for a crack at the championship in the event, a ranking tournament in the World Pool-Billiard Association calendar.

The other semis pairing pits reigning World 10-Ball champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain against two-time World Junior champion Ko Pin Yi of Chinese Taipei.

Immonen also dominated Neils Feijen of the Netherlands, 11-5; while Appleton edged former US Open champion Shane Van Boening of the United States, 11-9.

Ko ripped Jalal Al Saresi, 11-4, in the other quarterfinal duel.

The semis is another race-to-11 match with the finals, a race-to-13, alternate break format duel.