Tran Quyet Chien's 50-15 win over Frederic Caudron in the 2025 Blois World Three-Cushion Billiards final was more than just another victory. It confirmed that the Vietnamese player has become the one opponent Caudron struggles to beat when it matters most.
At the 2026 World Cup in Lier, Tran Quyet Chien was drawn into Group E alongside Frederic Caudron, Torbjörn Blomdahl, and Choi Wan-young, with Caudron marked as his first opponent in the group stage.
Key finals and turning points
Their rivalry has played out on some of the sport's biggest stages. In the 2018 Ho Chi Minh World Cup semi-final, Tran edged out then-world number one Caudron 40-39, then went on to win his first World Cup title. Later that year, at the LG Cup final in Korea, Tran beat Caudron again by a single point, 40-39, earning a major payday and a reputation as Caudron's toughest rival.
According to Vietnamese media reports from September 4, 2026, Tran Quyet Chien was placed in the so-called 'group of death' at the World Cup Lier, highlighting the intense level of competition. The tournament, held from August 31 to September 6, 2026, featured five Vietnamese players in the main stage, including Tran Quyet Chien, Tran Thanh Luc, Chiem Hong Thai, Bao Phuong Vinh, and Nguyen Dinh Quoc.
Even when Caudron managed a group-stage win at the 2026 World Cup in Belgium, Tran knocked him out 50-41 in the knockout round, showing his edge in direct elimination matches.
What sets Tran Quyet Chien apart?
Caudron's list of titles is unmatched, but comparing trophy counts alone misses the story. Tran has four World Cup titles and two world team championships, making him Vietnam's most successful international billiards player. What stands out is his record against Caudron in finals, which has changed the dynamic at the top of the sport.
Since 2018, Tran has won six of their last seven meetings, including all three finals. His tactical discipline, calm under pressure, and knack for disrupting Caudron's rhythm have made him the one player the Belgian cannot reliably beat.
Impact on the global three cushion scene
Tran Quyet Chien's rise has shifted the balance in elite three cushion billiards. His wins have inspired Vietnamese players and raised the country's profile internationally. For Caudron, the rivalry has revealed a rare weakness-proof that even the most decorated champions can be outplayed by a rival who thrives in finals.
Caudron is still the sport's most decorated player, but his struggles against Tran Quyet Chien in key matches have become a central storyline in modern three cushion billiards. The results are clear: Tran's edge in finals has changed the rivalry, and unless Caudron can turn things around, the Vietnamese player's dominance will remain a major talking point. For fans and competitors, it's a reminder that even the best can be challenged when the pressure is highest.
Full match details and further analysis are available in the original Vietnamese report.
