BMW RockDome, Westside: Slinks v. Niki. The first series of the day is in 12-ball with the red cue to lead off the round. Eastside's Niki received a wild-card ball from a good break by Westside's Slinks, who sputtered in the later parts of the game. Niki answered with a three-ball run-out, including a bank on the 6 that saw the cue glance the 6 to the top left for the win while running behind it, giving Niki an impressive highlight for her 1-0 series lead. The Rockers' Slinks gave away another wild-card ball to the Sharks' Niki in game 2, but she was out of position this time, and she flubbed her set-up shot. Slinks answered by making her last two shots after a meticulous build-up to that point, earning the win to tie the series at 1. Slinks produced an interesting break that didn't work as well as planned throughout the game, as Niki kept pace well. Slinks' last shot was missed contact on a kick attempt, and Niki made her final two balls to win and take the series 2-1. Niki is through to the bracket finals, where she will once again play a road series.
BMW RockDome, Westside: Midnight v. Ms. Puppy. The blue cue opens its part of the round with Accuracy in the back-half of a venue doubleheader. Westside's Midnight barely missed at all in game 1, making a single mistake from Modernistic's Ms. Puppy quite costly. Midnight did miss late but the game was already decided, with a 1-2 final giving Midnight the 1-0 series lead. Game 2 saw the Union's Ms. Puppy blow a late lead twice, allowing the Rockers' Midnight to force overtime. Midnight did well with a soft break, buying herself a few more shots, but Ms. Puppy would convert on Midnight's next miss to win 4-5, tying the series at 1. Midnight flipped the script in game 3, blowing leads late but holding on in overtime as Ms. Puppy's long-range miss set Midnight up for the series clinching shot in her 4-5 win. Midnight won the series 2-1 to punch her ticket to the bracket finals.
Apple Center, Todavía: Sierra v. Shadow. A daughter versus father match is next in 10-ball with the silver cue. Todavía's Sierra showed a sense to let Web City's Shadow keep shooting illegal shots until she got something she liked. They exchanged evenly over the middle of game 1, but Sierra broke away with a four-ball run-out to win the first match, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Stills' Sierra looked primed to make another late run in game 2, dominating throughout this particular game. She had a four-ball run going when she missed her cut attempt on the 10, allowing the Spiders' Shadow ball-in-hand for the last shot when Sierra scratched. Shadow easily converted to tie the series at 1. Game 3 was an absolute mess for shooting, and it even featured a major brain cramp by Sierra, touching the cue after a legal hit by Shadow to restore possession to him after a miss. Shadow would end up winning later after Sierra couldn't make the 10, and Shadow won the series 2-1. Shadow has proven his quality on this bracket despite qualifying much better, and advances to the bracket finals for another road series.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Dreamy v. Stinky. The red cue is back for a series in Accuracy. Swordpoint's Dreamy was unflappable during game 1, missing not a single shot in a dominant performance. Freedom's Stinky couldn't say the same, holding close early before falling 0-4 to Dreamy, who leads the series 1-0 after a great opener. The Blades' Dreamy was barreling toward another perfect outing in game 2 until the Cascades' Stinky made the second-to-last ball, saving the game for himself. Dreamy would miss the final regulation ball and the first shot of overtime in a 1-2 loss to Stinky, whose win tied the series at 1 just in time. Stinky was even better in game 3, staying perfect and outlasting Dreamy, whose late miss sealed her fate in an 0-1 loss that gave Stinky the thrilling series by a 2-1 margin. Stinky advances to the bracket finals.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Ice Cream v. Taylor Swift. The blue cue returns to action in this 9-ball series. Eastside's Taylor had a good finish to game 1, making the final four balls over two turns to break an early deadlock with Commerce's Ice Cream. Taylor's finish helped her gain a 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Ice Cream stayed in the game better in game 2, battling evenly with the Sharks' Taylor at first before making three of the last four balls to get the win. Ice Cream's late flurry earned her a tie in the series, evening the mark at 1 game apiece. Ice Cream won game 3 on a three-ball run-out, answering Taylor's mid-game three-ball run effectively to get the win and a 2-1 series win. Ice Cream will be facing a club-mate in the bracket finals, but it's yet to be determined who or where.
Toyota Arena, Freedom: Roxy v. Charli XCX. The last series before today's break is in 8-ball with the silver cue. Tysini's Charli thought she was on to something with a five-ball run in game 1, but she peaked too early, unable to make her final ball under the watchful defensive eye of Freedom's Roxy, who would close out the game with a three-ball run-out after Charli scratched. Roxy leads the series 1-0. The two players started out fairly even in game 2, with the Cascades' Roxy making the first ball, only to see the Hummingbirds' Charli pull ahead. Charli held the lead for awhile, but Roxy took it back, and then Charli reclaimed it. Roxy would get the edge in the end, cutting the 8 in and narrowly avoiding a scratch to clinch the series at 2-0. Roxy pulled off a five-ball run at one point in game 3 to pull ahead of Charli, who answered back well, and then Roxy won a few turns later with a three-ball run-out after Charli chipped a shot on the 8. Roxy won the series 3-0, and she will host the bracket final for this event and cue.
Nissan Hall, Infinity: Smudge v. Hoot. The blue cue gets the second session going with a bit of 12-ball. Infinity's Smudge had a good start to game 1, making a three-ball run from the break. Viewpoint Sound's Hoot offered a challenge later in the game, but his defense didn't stop Smudge on her final shot, giving her the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Torpedoes' Smudge had a bad break in game 2, but she made the most of the turn, making a three-ball run to assert herself in the lead, and then when the Meteors' Hoot gave her enough space, Smudge unleashed a diagonal bank with texture to make the 4 at the top left, a deflected shot off the 7 to take the 6 in the bottom right, and the finishing shot on the 7 at the top right for the win and a 2-0 series lead. Hoot got his win in game 3, capitalizing on a few too many scratches by Smudge to get a four-ball run-out going, allowing Hoot to show off his skill a bit in the win. Smudge won the series 2-1, advancing to the bracket final.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Potter v. Marsell. Two diminutive bears battle it out in 8-ball with the blue cue for this series. Pronger's Potter fell behind to Whitewater's Marsell early in game 1, as the visitor had a defensive pressure quite firmly against Potter. This eventually broke, and Potter had a three-ball run and a five-ball run-out on consecutive turns to take the win and a 1-0 series lead. In game 2, a scratch from the Shores' Marsell nearly did him in, as the Tridents' Potter double-potted the 15 to the bottom right and 14 to the bottom left, then made the 12 in the bottom side and almost made the 8 at the bottom right. Instead, Marsell had time to put the 6 in defense on the 8, and when Potter sank it accidentally, Marsell's path to victory was a clear three-ball run-out, tying the series at 1 with the finishing run. Marsell had an excellent five-ball run from the break in game 3, putting pressure on Potter to make an impressive shot himself, and he failed, making the 8 illegally to gift Marsell a win and the 2-1 series win. Marsell takes the lucky bounce with him to the bracket final.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Leandra v. Americus. Another familial series goes with a daughter hosting her mother in 7-ball with the blue cue. Tysini's Leandra dominated possession in game 1, making all but one ball in the win for a 1-0 series lead. Atlantic's Americus had a chance to get the win, but slipped her shot, causing the loss. The Hummingbirds' Leandra lost her grip on game 2 when her shot on the 6 resulted in a scratch. The Pirates' Americus didn't immediately take advantage, but she would make the 7 two turns later to grab the win, as Leandra had a chance on the winning shot and misplayed the bank attempt. Americus' win ties the series at 1. Leandra did all of the work again in game 3, but she did not get rewarded for it this time, as her miss on the 7 allowed Americus to tap-in for the win, giving the visitor a 2-1 series win. Americus' good fortune carries her to one more road series in the bracket final.
McDonald's Hall, Atlantic: Klaus v. Smudge. We're sticking with 7-ball, but the silver cue comes to the table this time. Infinity's Smudge felt robbed at the end of game 1, as her six-ball run was for naught. Her miss on the 7 left a good enough line for Atlantic's Klaus to bury it, swiping a win to take a 1-0 series lead despite his minimal input into the game. Game 2 saw the script flip, as the Pirates' Klaus made two balls on the break to lead off a six-ball run, only to see him chip his shot on the 7 at the bottom left. He left a good line for the Torpedoes' Smudge to make it, and she came through to get the win, tying the series at 1 with even possession so far. Smudge had the early offense in game 3, making a four-ball run but missing a 5-6 combination. Klaus did make that combination, and then backed it up with the 5 and the 7 for a three-ball run-out to snag the win and a 2-1 series win. The close series win gives Klaus the right to host the bracket final at this venue.
FedEx Arena, Eastside: Paps v. Twinkie I. The silver cue stays in action for 15-ball in this series a bit farther south in the hills. Game 1 kept the shooting fairly competitive throughout, with Lighton's Twinkie I a bit better early on, then Eastside's Paps having a burst before the end. Paps had an errant 9-14-15 combination attempt, allowing Twinkie I to come in with a 9-15 combination to the bottom right for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Prestige's Twinkie I saw an opening in game 2 after a bit of the Sharks' Paps-controlled play, and Twinkie I took it with a deflection off the 9 to send the 15 to the bottom right around, good for a win and a 2-0 series lead. Paps had played well in the game, but couldn't defend against the tough trick play Twinkie I accomplished for the winner. Twinkie I completed the 3-0 series sweep with an impressive game 3, weathering a tough start and challenges from Paps early on to record a five-ball run-out in the end for the victory. Twinkie I advances to the bracket final in great form.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Snowball v. Sprinkles. The blue cue closes its opening day requirements in 10-ball, a Southwest Derby to boot. Swordpoint's Snowball made a ball on the break in game 1, but she wouldn't see much of the table after that. Capital City's Sprinkles nearly won with a six-ball run, leaving the 10 just short after a deflected shot off the 8. Snowball couldn't answer from there, and Sprinkles cut the 8 to the top left and the 9-10 combination to the bottom right to win and take a 1-0 series lead with amazing shooting. The Sharpshooters' Sprinkles denied the Blades' Snowball of a medal in this event, as Snowball's chippy play in game 2 came back to hurt her. Sprinkles closed the game on a four-ball run-out, left in a neat order after a miss by Snowball put the 10 near the bottom left. Sprinkles clinched the series at 2-0 with the win, which nearly didn't happen as she left the cue close to a scratch. Snowball saved face in game 3, making a double-pot of the 8 and 10 to the bottom left and top right, respectively, to get a win after Sprinkles failed on her 8-10 combination attempt. Sprinkles still took the series 2-1, and will host the bracket final at Capital City SuperCenter.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Princess v. Tigerette. The silver cue gets a look in 9-ball now in a tough match between superstar captains. Tysini's Princess had the better of play in game 1, and while she did have a late scratch, Commerce's Tigerette couldn't get onto the 6. Princess would end the game with a three-ball run-out, including a double-pot of the 8 to the bottom left and 9 to the top side for the win and a 1-0 series lead. The Tradewinds' Tigerette had to dig deep to save her series in game 2, as the Hummingbirds' Princess charged with an early four-ball run. Tigerette replied with a well-cut four-ball run-out, answering shot for shot to get the win and tie the series at 1. Tigerette poached game 3 very well, as Princess was the first to settle into a shot. She had a five-ball run end in a light 7-9 combination that stayed lined up at the bottom right without falling. Tigerette converted it, winning for a 2-1 series win to advance to the bracket final on the road.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Bandit v. Bells. The red cue returns to action in this series of 7-ball that could get quite competitive. Swordpoint's Bandit nearly won on the break, as the 7 drifted close to the bottom right. Todavía's Bells wasted two turns scratching before a three-ball run, only to see Bandit strike the 4 to deflect the cue into the 7, finishing what he started for the win and a 1-0 series lead. Bells came out of nowhere to tie the series at 1 with a win in game 3. The Blades' Bandit had a strong break, but didn't pot a ball. Instead, the Stills' Bells ripped a shot at the 1, which came back off of two rails to pot the 7 at the bottom right as well as the 1 in the top left for the winning shot in stunning fashion. Bells really stepped up in game 3 with the series on the line, dominating possession and keeping Bandit away from the table in the late game with a five-ball run-out to get the win and a 2-1 series win. Bells heads to another road series for the bracket final after coming back to win this one.
Sprint Hall, Victoria: Spice v. Sally. Two well-respected veterans take each other on in 9-ball with the red cue. Victoria's Spice had a pretty good game 1, but it could have gone much worse. Spice had a late scratch, opening the table up for Archtown's Sally, who converted two shots but left the 9 short at the top left, which Spice tapped in for a 1-0 series lead on the win. The Spurs' Spice took a mostly defensive stance in game 2, unable to truly find a breakthrough on offense. This was due to positioning from the Arrows' Sally, who survived a late scare when Spice nearly had a successful jump-bank on the 8. Sally made the final two shots to win, tying the series at 1 with her calm style. Sally kept up the pressure in game 3, and to great success, as she rallied with a seven-ball run on her second turn and forced Spice into illegal contact, allowing Sally to end the game with a pair of good shots starting with ball-in-hand on the 8. Sally took the series 2-1 after the rally, advancing to the bracket final.
House of 10 Windows, Del Sur: Hoppy v. Dustin. The silver cue is back for its other 9-ball series, the last of the day. Central's Dustin showed his quality in game 1, making a five-ball run in the middle of game 1 and a three-ball run-out on the next turn with some tougher-than-normal shots involved to defeat Southern's Hoppy and take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 took a bit more time to get going, as neither player was sharp at the start. The Monarchs' Hoppy did well to defend against the Warriors' Dustin early on, and she eventually rattled off a three-ball run that could have been more had the 6 fallen in the bottom left. Dustin made the 6 and 7, but missed on the 9, and Hoppy tapped it in at the bottom side to earn the win and tie the series at 1. Dustin carried a majority of the play in game 3, and for good reason, as a four-ball run-out was what separated him from Hoppy, giving him a 2-1 series win. Dustin will host the Commerce Tradewinds captain Tigerette at Central's Nestle's Warriors Hall in the bracket final.
That's all for now, with more tomorrow and Monday in the bracket semifinals. Follow us on Twitter
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