He’ll face Shawn Putnam o­n Thursday, after Putnam advanced with an exciting win over Santos Sambajon Jr. 11-9.  After he sunk the final 9 ball, he gave an enthusiastic fist pump, as the small crowd in the Hilton Hotel ballroom gave their applause. 

The action o­n the o­ne-loss side heated up late Wednesday night with Archer matching up against Mike Davis and Charlie Williams facing Sambajon.  Williams, who advanced with a decisive win over Corey Deuel and a comeback victory over Basavich, gave it his all against Sambajon. 

The two traded the first few games until Sambajon jumped out to a 6-2 lead, but Williams put three wins o­n the board to get within o­ne.  However, in Game 12, it looked like the momentum was o­n Sambajon’s side.  He eyed up a long shot o­n the 1 ball but was also paying attention to the 2, which sat right behind the 9 o­n the near rail.  The wily veteran sank the 1 and drew the cue back in position for the 2-9 combo, and he nailed it for a 7-5 lead.   

In the following three games, though, Sambajon made crucial mistakes that allowed Williams to get back in the match.  Before anyone knew it, Williams had taken over the lead at 8-7.  But it wasn’t over just yet.  The match went to hill-hill, with Williams breaking in the decisive game, and he took full advantage, breaking and running out the rack for an exhausting 11-10 win. 

In the other match with Davis and Archer, things were heating up.  Archer played from behind the entire time, getting to within o­ne game at 8-7 and 9-8.  But Davis was played almost perfect, offensive and defensively.  Up 10-8, he ran out to the 9 ball, at which time Archer conceded and shook his opponent’s hand. 

Archer and Sambajon settled for fifth/sixth, while Davis and Williams will do battle Thursday at 2 p.m. right alongside the hot seat match between Robles and Putnam.  The semifinal match will take place at 4 p.m. and the final match of the North American Open will commence at 8 p.m.