At 40-28 down after 25 innings, باو فونغ فينه was facing a steep climb against هيو جونغ هان in their quarter-final at the 2026 World Three-Cushion Billiards Championship in Blois, France.
Six innings later, Bao had cut the gap to two. In the 32nd inning, he scored eight points and took the lead for the first time. The match had turned.
UMB Carom reported that Bao beat Belgian Roland Forthomme 50-25 in a match completed in 17 innings, calling it the 'best win of the day'.
The late run decided the quarter-final
هيو جونغ هان had controlled much of the match. He led 24-10 after 15 innings, then went into the break before the 17th inning up 25-10. The South Korean missed straightforward shots. Bao took his chances and closed the gap.
At 46-44 ahead, Bao still had work to do. هيو جونغ هان pulled within one point at 46-47 in the 36th inning, then tied it at 47-47 in the 37th. Bao scored three points to finish the match, 50-47.
Thanh Nien reported that the semi-finals were scheduled for 27 September, with Bao facing Tayfun Tasdemir. The winners of the two semi-finals were due to meet in the final later that day.
The result guarantees Bao a world-championship medal for the second time. He is back in the semifinals.
A rematch with a place in the final at stake
هيو جونغ هان is a two-time world champion. He beat Bao in the final in Ankara in June 2024 and denied him his first world title. Bao won the 2023 title by beating تران كويت تشين in the final. The source identifies him as the only Vietnamese player who is currently a world champion. For context on another recent Vietnamese cue-sports result, see this earlier 10-ball exit report.
Earlier on 26 September, Bao beat ألكسندر سالازار 50-47 in the round of 16. The other quarter-final winners were إيدي ميركس, who beat سون جون هيوك 50-35; سامح سيدهوم, who defeated former champion فريدريك كودرون 50-47; and تاسديمير تايفون, who beat مارتن هورن 50-23.
The semi-finals are scheduled for 27 September. سامح سيدهوم faces إيدي ميركس at 5pm Vietnam time, followed by باو فونغ فينه against تاسديمير تايفون at 7:30pm. The final is scheduled for 11pm. SOOP Live lists the tournament for live streaming at https://billiards.sooplive.com/schedule.
Bao came back from 40-28 down against a two-time champion. His late scoring run secured a medal and another chance to reach the final. A win in the semifinal would put him back in the world-title match.
