Hasan duly wiped out that daunting initial deficit and it was then a nip-and-tuck affair through the middle sector until Hussain fell two frames behind at 8-6 and eventually 9-7 down overall.
Qatar’s Bashar Hussain with the trophy. — KT photo by Grace Guino
Bashar Hussain quelled a resurgent fightback from Ayhab Hasan to win the inaugural UAE 9Ball Arab Open Championship with a 12-9 victory in a seesaw final.
In a race-to-12 shootout that began late on Saturday night and stretched into the early hours of the following day, Qatari Hussain reeled off the first four frames in a row without giving his Iraqi opponent any time whatsoever at the table.
However, having lost position from the break-off in the fifth, Hussain was soon engaged in safety exchanges that Hasan invariably edged with taxing snookers.
Hasan duly wiped out that daunting initial deficit and it was then a nip-and-tuck affair through the middle sector until Hussain fell two frames behind at 8-6 and eventually 9-7 down overall.
Having seen his rival wipe out that commanding advantage and go on to take nine of the next 12 frames, Hussain needed to regroup inside the arrivals lounge of Dubai International Airport, Terminal Three.
He did exactly that too, turning the tables on Hasan with a relentless run of five frames without reply to claim the crown and winner’s trophy.
“I had a really good start as I started — and finished — four racks,” Hussain explained. “After that, my opponent (Hasan) played very well. He took the lead and I found myself down 9-7. “I then went and had a break, stayed positive mentally and just tried to play my natural game. I went to the table in a positive frame of mind and I played well in the last five racks.”
Hussain has proven his pedigree on the Arab/GGC/West Asia circuit and he hopes he can make an impact on the global game in future. “I still haven’t done enough on the world stage,” he said. “But, I’m trying my best and — Insha’Allah — I will do something in that particular arena. I’m still trying to accomplish that big achievement.” This tournament, which was held under the patronage of Shaikh Maktoum bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was organised by Pro9 Events and supervised by the UAE Billiards and Snooker Association.