Tran Thanh Luc staged a spectacular comeback against the world number 1, Tran Quyet Chien was thrilled.

The only representative from Vietnam competing in the semi-finals of the Bogota 2025 World Cup billiards is Tran Thanh Luc. Late on March 2nd, the player born in 1990 will face the current world number one, Dick Jaspers (from the Netherlands, a 30-time World Cup champion). Jaspers is also the player who eliminated Vietnam's number one player, Tran Quyet Chien, in the round of 16.

Before entering the final four, Tran Thanh Luc was in excellent form, having successively defeated formidable opponents such as Eddy Merckx (quarterfinals) and Roland Forthomme (round of 16). Therefore, the reigning world runner-up, Thanh Luc, was expected to overcome Dick Jaspers and "avenge" his senior, Tran Quyet Chien. Living up to the expectations of Vietnamese billiards fans, the 35-year-old played an outstanding match to stage a spectacular comeback against the Dutch legend, securing his place in the final.

Trailing by more than 10 points.

Tran Thanh Luc had the opening serve, but Dick Jaspers was the one who took the lead in the first half of the match. The Vietnamese player struggled to score points in the early turns. Meanwhile, Jaspers showed composure and continuously increased his lead, successively leading 9-3, 11-5, 17-8… After the first 9 turns, the Dutch player had a series of 5 and 6 points, leading Thanh Luc by 12 points (22-10).

It wasn't until the 10th inning that Tran Thanh Luc scored a 4-point series, gradually closing the gap with his opponent. The Vietnamese player persistently chased after Jaspers, while Jaspers faltered. The match went into halftime after Jaspers completed his 13th inning, but the difference was now only 3 points (Jaspers led 25-22).

Tran Thanh Luc "explodes" into the final.

The second half saw a complete reversal of fortune. Tran Thanh Luc regained his scoring touch and overtook Dick Jaspers. In the 15th inning, the Vietnamese player scored a series of 5 points and took the lead for the first time, 29-27. At this point, the veteran Dutch player began to feel psychological pressure, unable to play smoothly, and had to contend with the difficult shots set by Thanh Luc.

Tran Quyet Chien and the Vietnamese players were thrilled as Thanh Luc cruised to the finish line in the semi-final match.

By the 24th inning, the score was 40-30, with Tran Thanh Luc holding the advantage. Dick Jaspers made the match more exciting by scoring a series of 6 points in the 25th inning, narrowing the score to 36-41. However, Tran Thanh Luc played exceptionally well in the final inning (27th inning), calmly scoring a series of 8 points to finish the match and win 50-37.

In the stands of the arena hosting the Bogota 2025 World Cup billiards, Tran Quyet Chien and other Vietnamese players such as Tran Duc Minh, Bao Phuong Vinh, and Chiem Hong Thai were present and very excited about Tran Thanh Luc's convincing victory over the world number 1.

Thanh Luc's joy at reaching the World Cup final for the first time.

Tran Thanh Luc was the runner-up in the 2024 World Championship. However, this is his first time participating in the final of a 3-cushion carom billiards World Cup.

The Bogota 2025 World Cup billiards final took place on the morning of March 3rd. Tran Thanh Luc's opponent in the championship match was the winner of the second semi-final (Tolgahan Kiraz vs. Tasdemir Tayfun).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tran-thanh-luc-nguoc-dong-ngoan-muc-truc-so-1-the-gioi-tran-quyet-chien-phan-khich-185250303014042894.htm