All four Vietnamese players, Duong Quoc Hoang, Pham Phuong Nam, Nguyen Van Huynh, and Nguyen Bao Chau, started their campaigns at 8 p.m. Each match consisted of three sets, with the winner needing to win two. Each set comprised four racks. The winning player advanced to the winner's bracket, while the loser went to the loser's bracket to continue competing.

Duong Quoc Hoang during his match against Marco Spitzky at the Predator WPA Men’s 10-Ball World Championship 2025, on the evening of 20/9. Photo: Duc Bao

Duong Quoc Hoang faced German player Marco Spitzky in his first match. Cheered on by a large Vietnamese crowd at the Military Zone 7 Stadium, the home favorite started confidently.

Hoang thrilled the audience with two consecutive bank shots in the 4th rack of the first set. These shots paved the way for his 4-2 victory in the first set.

With the advantage, he entered the second set with smooth strokes, denying his opponent any opportunities. Hoang then played consistently to win the second set 4-0, securing a 2-0 overall victory and advancing to the winner's bracket. His next opponent is another German player, Thorsten Hohmann.

Nguyen Bao Chau also had an impressive day, making a remarkable comeback against Fu Huan (Hong Kong) with a score of 2-1. Meanwhile, Pham Phuong Nam defeated Finnish player Casper Matikainen 2-1.

The only Vietnamese representative to lose on the opening day was Nguyen Van Huynh, who lost to Wesam Hamamm 1-2. Huynh will now seek to continue in the loser's bracket.

Nguyen Van Huynh lost to Wesam Hamamm at the Predator WPA Men’s 10-Ball World Championship 2025, on the evening of 20/9. Photo: Duc Bao

The first round also saw some upsets, with title contender Fedor Gorst suffering a quick 0-2 defeat to Spanish player Jonas Souto. This loss means Gorst must now focus on progressing through the loser's bracket. Filipino prodigy AJ Manas came from behind to win 2-1 against compatriot Raymund Faraon. Aloysius Yapp (Singapore) overcame Kyle Richard 2-0.

Alongside the men's 10-ball tournament, the Poison Cues Saigon Women’s 9-Ball Open is also taking place. In the first round, Vietnamese players made their mark. Duong Yen Vi defeated compatriot Duong Gia Linh 2-1, and Nguyen Bich Tram beat Bui Xuan Vang 2-0. Kieu Nhung defeated Doan Thi Ngoc Le 2-0. Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen lost to Han Yu (China) 0-2, while Pia Filler (Germany) defeated Tran Tu Tran 2-0. Le Hong Nhung lost 1-2 to Savannah Easton (USA).

Today, the tournament enters the winner's bracket round one and loser's bracket round one. Notable matches include: Duong Yen Vi vs. Pia Filler, Liu Shasha vs. Chezka Centeno, Kelly Fisher vs. Annabella Yohana (Indonesia), Seo Seoa (South Korea) vs. Nguyen Bich Tram. Meanwhile, Kieu Nhung will face Kristina Tkach. In the loser's bracket, Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen will compete against Neo Yue Xuan (Singapore).

Cueist Nguyen Bich Tram during her 2-0 victory against compatriot Bui Xuan Vang at the Poison Cues Saigon Women’s 9-Ball Open Box Billiards, on the afternoon of 20/9. Photo: Duc Bao

The three tournaments, the men's 10-ball, Box Billiards Mixed Doubles, and Poison Cues Saigon Women’s 9-Ball Open, are co-hosted by Box Billiards, Predator, and the Ho Chi Minh City Billiards & Snooker Federation (HBSF) at the Military Zone 7 Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, from 17/9 to 28/9.

The total prize money for the series of events is 425,000 USD (approximately 11.2 billion VND), with the men's 10-ball championship alone offering 250,000 USD (nearly 7 billion VND). The world 10-ball champion will receive 70,000 USD (1.8 billion VND), while the runner-up will receive 40,000 USD. The two third-place finishers will receive 17,500 USD each.

In the Box Billiards Mixed Doubles Open, which concluded on the evening of 19/9, husband and wife Joshua Filler and Pia Filler won the championship, receiving 40,000 USD in prize money. The Taiwanese pair Ko Ping Chung and Chou Chieh-yu finished second.

Duc Dong