Vietnamese billiard player Nguyen Tran Thanh Tu has maintained his impressive momentum at the UMB 3-Cushion World Cup 2024 in Veghel, Netherlands, by defeating the world number one in the quarterfinals on Saturday morning (Vietnam time).

In this round, Thanh Tu faced veteran Dick Jaspers, the current world number one. 

It initially seemed that Thanh Tu’s journey might end here, as his opponent was incredibly strong. 

However, the Vietnamese player delivered yet another surprise, proving that his recent success was no fluke.

At the start of the match, Thanh Tu took an early five-point lead. 

He quickly built an advantage, reaching a score of 23-12 by the time of the break, including an impressive series of 14 points.

After the break, the drama intensified. 

In the sixth turn, Jaspers showcased his skill with a stunning run of 15 points, pulling ahead 27-25. 

Despite the sudden shift in momentum, Thanh Tu remained composed. 

He responded with a solid series of nine points, reclaiming the lead at 34-28.

From that point on, Thanh Tu only improved, finishing the match with a remarkable 50-33 victory over Jaspers.

Earlier in the tournament, Thanh Tu had already made waves by defeating billiard legends Torbjorn Blomdahl and Eddy Merckx in the group stage, securing his place in the second round. 

He followed this up by besting experienced player Sameh Sidhom to advance to the quarter-finals.

In another notable quarterfinal match, Tu’s senior fellow, Tran Quyet Chien, also triumphed over his compatriot Tran Thanh Luc. 

The semifinals at the Veghel 3-Cushion World Cup is poised to feature a thrilling showdown between Vietnam and Belgium, with Thanh Tu set to face billiards legend Frederic Caudron, while Quyet Chien will compete against Peter Ceulemans, ranked 21st in the world.

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