Nine-pool 

Đặng Thành Kiên poses with the trophy of the first TD Pool Master League. — Photos of Vietcontent

HÀ NỘI — Đặng Thành Kiên lifted the trophy of the first TD Pool Master League and pocketed a record bonus after beating rising Dương Quốc Hoàng 11-9 in the final on Saturday in Hà Nội.

During two hours, the two best players of the all-star tournament created a nail-biting competition with spectacular shots that made spectators excited and cheer from the stands.

The two were neck-and-neck in the 'race to 11' format final.

Kiên struggled in the first two qualifiers when players competed in round robin format.

He had poor start in both rounds but came back strongly and secured a place in the playoffs in the last seconds.

In the semi-finals, the 43-year-old showed another side, storming to victory against Đỗ Thế Kiên 9-4 to advance to the final.

The final was the third time that Kiên played Hoàng in this tournament. He lost the first match but learned lessons to win the next two.

Đặng Thành Kiên (left) and Dương Quốc Hoàng in the final match of the TD Pool Master League final on March 30 in Hà Nội.

Kiên was awarded VNĐ250 million in a total of VNĐ500 million (US$20,200) for the whole event. He also received gift voucher from sponsors.

In second place, Hoàng took VNĐ70 million while Đỗ Kiên and Phạm Phương Nam walked away with VNĐ35 million each for third position.

The next places went to Nguyễn Phúc Long, Lương Chí Dũng, Nguyễn Anh Tuấn and Đỗ Hoàng Quân. They also received bonuses and gifts from organisers.

It was the largest ever bonus delivered at a domestic tournament to honour and recognise the players' contributions, organisers said. 

The event was organised by TD Billiards Club and Vietcontent, a leading producer and distributor of entertainment and sports in Việt Nam. — VNS