China's adopted son Wu survives Briton rival in WTBC opener

Carrying a new name and playing his old favorite game, double world champion Wu Chia-Ching struggled in his comeback bid in the World Ten Ball Championship. Now known as Wu Jia Qing of mainland China, the former teen sensation walked the tightrope before prevailing over Chris Melling of Great Britain in a come-from-behind 9-8 decision on Tuesday night at the World Trade Center. Wu was missing shots that he normally makes. He fell behind, 3-7, in the early stage of the match, but went on to pounce on Melling’s missed shot at No.5. From there, Wu took the next five racks and grabbed the lead, 8-7. Then, disaster struck on Wu. He missed the No.5 at the corner, allowing Melling to get back at the table. The British player sank the next three balls, but miscalculated the preparation for No. 8 as the cue ball went behind No. 9. Melling was forced to take a jump shot for No.8 at the corner, but missed it. Wu wasted no time disposing off the remaining three balls and coming away with a hairline victory. “I was having a difficult time because I couldn’t find the powder for my cue stick, which had gone dry in the first few racks of the match," said Wu thru interpreter Mars Chan. “That’s why he called his friend and asked for the powder." But the three-year absence of competing in the WPA ranking tournaments was a clear evidence of Wu's lethargic start. Nevertheless, the former top cue artist from Chinese Taipei was lucky to salvage a win. “My timing was off. I’m still adjusting to the play condition," added Wu. Whether Wu has already rediscovered his old, deadly form or not will be known in his next match when he faces Jonas Magpantay of the Philippines. Just like Wu five years ago, Magpantay is a 17-year-old competitor who dreams of making it big in the international pool circuit. Ralf Souquet, Germany’s double world champion who’s been hoping to finally win the big one on Philippine soil, also went through some rough moments before winning his match against Wang Ming of China, 9-4. Former WTBC champion Darren Appleton of Great Britain drubbed Allan Cuartero of the Philippines, 9-5, while Philippine Open Pool Championship winner Thorsten Hohmann defeated Victor Arpilleda of the Philippines to join the cast of favorites who won in the opening day. Other opening-day winners include Kuo Po Cheng of Chinese Taipei, Roberto Gomez and Jeff de Luna of the Philippines, Yang Ching Shun of Chinese Taipei, Mark Gray of Great Britain, Nick van den Berg of the Netherlands, Tomoo Takano of Japan, Amir Ibrahim of Malaysia, David Alcaide of Spain, Chang Yu Lung and Chien Chieh Liu of of Chinese Taipei, Johnny Archer of the United States, Yousef Jalal of Venezuela, Yukio Akakariyama of Japan, Raymond Faraon of the Philippines, Toh Lian Han of Singapore, Han Hao Xiang of China, Karlo Dalmatin of Croatia, Lu Hui Chan of Chinese Taipei, Ivica Putrik of Croatia, Fu Che Wei of Chinese Taipei, Max Eberle of the United States, Radoslow Babica of Poland, Tony Drago of Malta, Venancio Tanio of the Philippines, Artem Koschovy of Ukraine, Francis Diaz-Pizarro, Thomas Engert of Germany, Alok Kumar of India andStephen Cohen of France. - Rey Joble, GMA News