Perfect Fisher pockets pool crown

MANILA, Philippines - Great Britain’s Kelly Fisher outclassed Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Pei Chen, 10-4, to cap her unbeaten title run in the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship before a big Sunday crowd at Robinson’s Galleria.

Fisher, who whisked off China’s Yu Han in the semis, 9-4, dominated Chen with her world-class shot-making and went on to nail her first championship since winning the 2008 WBPA Pacific Coast Classic crown.

She pocketed $20,000 while Chen, who edged inaugural champion and local favorite Rubilen Amit, 8-7, in Saturday’s quarterfinal round and then nipped last year’s runner-up Ga Young Kim of Korea, 9-7, in the semis, took home $10,000.

“I was really nervous going into the final match because this is the first time I’ve made it this far, it was really perfect after I won,” said Fisher, who thanked the enthusiastic Filipino fans.

The 33-year-old Fisher swept Group Five to emerge as one of the two players to win all five games in the group stages. The other player who swept her first five matches was Norwegian Line Kjorsvik, whose run, however, was halted by Kim, 8-4, in Saturday’s round-of-16.

Fisher then trounced Japan’s Akimi Kajitani, 8-3, and Chinese Taipei’s Hui Shian Lai, 8-5, then bundled out Han, who beat compatriot Zu Qing Bi, 8-6, in the quarters.

Despite her imposing victory, Fisher admitted that she was actually shaking inside during the finals and nearly succumbed to pressure.

“I just pretended that I don’t look nervous out there because deep inside I’m really nervous and shaking because of the pressure,” said Fisher.