Philippines, 15 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


World 10-Ball Champion Kaçi Remains Undefeated at CSI Michigan Open

PhilBoxing.com




The only real problem with Thursday afternoon’s match between Russia’s Fedor Gorst and Albania’s Eklent Kaçi is that someone had no choice but to lose.

Both competed in that way you’d expect two players who have won recent major championships to challenge each other, with Kaçi using a powerful break and smooth shot making while was Gorst sinking jump shots like he was on the basketball court. Just when it appeared one player had the lead, the other would battle back to either narrow the gap or take the lead themselves.

In the end, it would be Gorst who finally blinked, missing a spot shot in sudden death, as Kaçi remained on the winner’s side of the bracket with the sudden death victory in the third round of the Michigan Open Thursday afternoon at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Mich. With the victory, the reigning World 10-Ball champion qualified for the final 16 single-elimination portion of the tournament and is one of eight players who remain undefeated in this weekend’s event.

Playing in the race-to-four first set, the Albanian used a combination shot on the 10 ball, a break-and-run and a missed shot by his opponent to build a 3-1 lead. Gorst, who won the World 9-Ball Championship in 2019, used a combination shot on the 10 ball in the fifth rack and a missed 4 ball by his opponent to tie the match, but then failed to pocket a ball on the break in the seventh game. Kaci had the opportunity to claim the game but committed a foul on the 3 ball, but he would ultimately win the rack anyways when Gorst overran position on the 6 ball and missed the ball in the corner pocket.

The young Russian regrouped in the second set, claiming the first two games then returning to the table in the fifth game after Kaçi missed position on the 5 ball and played safe. Gorst banked the ball in and ran out the remaining balls to climb onto the hill, 3-2. The next rack was textbook Gorst, as he jumped in the 3 and 4 balls then banked in the 5 ball again to claim the set, 4-2, and force sudden death shots. Both competitors were perfect through the extra session until the fourth inning, where Kaci made his spot shot while Gorst missed.

The match was one of two that went to an extra frame during the afternoon session, with Tony Robles making a second half comeback in his match against Edgie Geronimo to stay alive in the tournament.

Geronimo jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the race-to-four first set, but Robles used a dry break from his competitor to return to the table, claim the next two racks and tie the score. Robles lost control of the table in the fifth rack when he failed to pocket a ball on the break, and the Filipino Geronimo cleared the table to regain the lead. Geronimo, who finished third at the Arizona Open, again failed to pocket a ball on his break in the sixth game but would return to the table when his opponent missed position on the 2 ball, then missed a kick shot on the ball.

Using a break-and-run and a couple of unforced errors by his opponent, Robles rallied in the second set to shut out Geronimo, 4-0, and force a match-deciding extra inning. He then pocketed the first and third shots in the extra period, which was more than enough to defeat Geronimo, who did not make a ball in three attempts.

Robles now moves on to face Abdullah Alshammari Friday afternoon at noon local time, with the winner scheduled to face Aloysius Yapp, who struggled at times in his match against Roberto Gomez Jr. and was defeated in straight sets, 4-2, 4-3. After losing the opening set, Yapp used a break-and-run and a pair of missed shots from his opponent to build a 3-2 lead in the second, but failed to pocket a ball on the break in the sixth rack. Gomez ran out the rack and then tacked on a break-and-run to claim the set and avoid a shootout.

Also remaining undefeated was Austria’s Mario He, who needed a shootout of his own to defeat American Tyler Styer, who overcame a handful of early unforced errors in the first set to clinch the second.

He jumped out to an early 2-0 lead then took advantage of a Styer scratch in the third game and a missed 10 ball in the next rack to pitch a shutout a 4-0 in the first set. After He won the first rack of the second set, Styer managed to swipe a game back then use back-to-back break and runs and a missed kick shot by his opponent to win the set and force sudden death. He was perfect in the extra-inning frame, making all four spot shots while Styer only pocketed two.

The tournament will resume play Friday, with live matches being broadcast on WorldBilliardTV's YouTube page as well as Billiard TV beginning at noon eastern time. Notable matches include Poland’s Mieszko Fortunski meeting Russia’s Ruslan Chinahov in a win-or-go-home match on the one-loss side, with the winner facing Gorst. Also playing is Estonia’s Denis Grabe, who will face Kuwait’s Bader Al Awadhi, with the winner scheduled to face Spain’s Francisco Sanchez Ruiz. When eight competitors are remaining on both the winner and one-loss side, the brackets will be re-seeded as the format transitions to the single-elimination knockout phase.

This event also is the third stop of the U.S. Pro Billiard Series, which features five open professional events between July and the end of the year. Created by Predator Group and amateur league operator CueSports International, these tournaments will run in tandem alongside of CSI league amateur events being held throughout the country. The winner of each competition receives a guaranteed spot in the $125,000-added 2022 Predator World 10-Ball Championship, which will be held March 28 through April 1 in Las Vegas at the Rio Hotel and Casino.

This competition is played on Predator Pro pool tables covered with Predator Arcadia performance cloth, with Predator Arcos II precision balls, and under the Predator Arena billiard lights.

For more information on the U.S. Pro Billiard Series or amateur leagues, visit www.playcsipool.com.

For the latest information on the Predator Pro Billiard Series action, follow @ProBilliardSeries on Facebook and Instagram. For Live broadcasting watch Billiard TV or follow WorldBilliardTV on YouTube for replays.



Photo credits: Matt Porinsky




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • GARNICA VS. CORREA SET FOR WBC CONTINENTAL AMERICAS TITLE CLASH IN LONG BEACH MAY 15
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • IBA Board of Directors convenes for strategic April 2026 meeting
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • Cadalso to turn pro in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • 2-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday  May 2 in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • Former Coach of De La Salle University Taft-Manila finishes third place in Beijing Blitz Grand Prix
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 15 Apr 2026
  • "When one goes to war we all go to war!" – Owen Corrigan challenges Mad Dog Micah Rivetti for Light Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Crocs FC wins 3 titles in Football sa Bayan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Chess Kings Ready to Battle in Pacquiao 3x3 Chess Team Tournament at Lica Malls 500 Shaw
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Manguyab to debut in RFL
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Simsri Crushes Mendoza, Retains IBF 108-lbs Title; Could A Filipino Challenger Fight Simsri Next? (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao and Jas Mathur via Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announce Nine-Figure Team Boxing League Partnership, Launching Manny Pacquiao’s San Diego TJ’s Franchise
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Pabular loses by a split decision
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • DFBC dominates in Invitational Doubles
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Santisima Faces Undefeated Grigoryan for IBF Asia Title in Russia
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Jenn Perella excited to be fighting in front of family & friends on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Angel Barrientes Training Camp Notes
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • DFBC sweeps Dubai Filipino bowlfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Middleweight Contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. Dominates Omar Huerta in Main Event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Sergio Martinez returns with a victory at 51
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Secures Three Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Rosales to fight Obedencio in RFL co-main event
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero to fight Cadalso in Juego Todo Pro
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Miel Fajardo Unleashes Thrilling Fury: Filipino Slugger Blasts Reyes in IBF Flyweight Eliminator in Argentina
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • IBA NOMAD 14 delivers spectacular night of combat sports in Almaty
    , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Fajardo TKOs Reyes in IBF flyweight eliminator
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.