Thorsten took the next and a 3-9 combo in the sixth after Ortmann played a poor safety, gave the reigning World Champion both points. The remaining racks, whilst academic in the context of the match, may have some impact in the final standings and it was Ortmann who got the better of the latter stages to claim some respectability.

In the second match of the session, sharp-shooting Hui-kai Hsia exacted some revenge over Malta's Tony Drago as he drubbed him 8 - 2 to take the two points. Drago had scored two sensational wins over Hsia earlier this year as he bounced the Taiwanese out of the World Championship at the quarterfinal stage and then beat him in the final of the World Pool Masters in August.

However, Drago was never really in it this time as Hsia ran out the racks with some comfort and the man from Valetta will have to improve substantially o­n this showing if he is to take anything from his match tonight against Efren Reyes.

In the final match of the session, defending champion Efren Reyes certainly lived up to his 'me lucky' tag as he squeezed past WPL debutant Rodney Morris (USA) in an entertaining match that hinged o­n a series of fouls. Morris' stroke looked smooth as he moved into a 4 - 1 lead but needing just the 8 and 9 to secure at least a point in the next, he inexplicably scratched into the middle pocket handing the rack to Reyes.

Worse was to follow for the Rocket in the next as referee Nigel Rees correctly called a foul when Morris' colourful Hawaiian shirt touched a ball whilst he was cueing up.

Reyes won that and the next three to give himself at least a share of the points but o­nce again a scratch cost the American dear as he looked poised to salvage something from the game.

Play continues this evening with three more matches.

Hui-kai Hsia v Thorsten Hohmann

Tony Drago v Efren Reyes

Oliver Ortmann v Rodney Morris

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