The 2003 field includes the four top stars in the sport.  Allison Fisher is a four-time winner of the Tournament of Champions, a three-time WPA World Champion, and a seven-time Player of the Year.  Karen Corr is the 2003 U.S. Open Champion, the 2003 BCA Open Champion, and WPBA ranked number 2.  Helena Thornfeldt is the 2002 U.S. Open Champion, the 2003 San Diego Classic runner-up, and WPBA ranked number 3.  Jeanette Lee is the gold medalist in the World Games, the 2003 Delta Classic Championship runner-up, and WPBA ranked number 4.

The format consists of two races to 5.  If o­ne player wins both sets, she moves o­n to the finals while the other player is eliminated.  If both players win o­ne set each, a sudden-death tiebreaker is played to determine the winner of the match.

Corr won the lag, but a couple of mistakes o­n her part soon saw Lee taking a 3-0 lead in the first set.  “The Irish Invader” won the next two to get in the game, but Lee broke and ran to reach the hill, and a missed kick by Corr allowed Lee to win the first set 5-2.

The second set seesawed all the way to hill-hill with some great play o­n both ladies’ parts.  With no shot o­n the 2 ball, Corr pushed.  Lee played safe, and Corr attempted to kick the 2 in the side but left it hanging.  With great enthusiasm, Lee ran out the rest of the rack to win the second set 5-4.

The second match will begin shortly and be between defending champion Allison Fisher and Helena Thornfeldt.Visit InsidePOOL for the latest in the sport of billiards and pool.