Xiaoting Pan Shines at Spirit Tour Opener

More international talent joined the Ladies Spirit Tour ranks as the tour opened its 2006 Season on January 21st, at Strokers Billiards in Palm Harbor, Florida. With a WPBA Qualifier being donated by LTLUniverse.com; incredible sponsorship gifts by Olhausen Billiard Mfg., Inc., McDermott Cue Mfg., Inc., and Sterling Gaming; and $1250 being added to the prize fund by Strokers Billiards (bringing the total purse to $3000), the event attracted 35 very tough female competitors. Xiaoting Pan from China and Charlotte Sørenson from Denmark grabbed instant attention as favorites, to be pitted against previous top finishers such as Tracie Hines and Janet Atwell.

Pan made her run through the winner's side fairly easily and was set to be matched up with Sørenson early Sunday. The only other two undefeated players, Hines and Atwell, would also face off on the winner's side the next morning.

All eyes were on Pan and Sørenson, both young dynamic players sure to give each other a challenging match, as their top priority was to grab the WPBA qualifying spot. Sørenson started with a break and run but a miss on the 8-ball in the next rack let Pan in to break and run one of her own. It was back and forth run outs by the ladies until, at 3-3 Sørenson took two nines on the break and another run out to get on the hill, leading 6-3. Pan displayed her resolve when she got an opening in the next rack and showed her dominating run-out ability, taking the next three games to tie at 6-6. With a safety on the two-ball, Pan set up the 2-9, received ball in hand and closed the set with a combo to advance to the hot seat.

Meanwhile, top players Hines and Atwell were engaged in a heated battle of their own, with both players on the hill at 6-6. A missed 7 by Hines led Atwell back to the table, with the 7-ball hanging in the pocket. Atwell faced a tricky shot to try and get back to the 8-ball while avoiding the scratch but the cue ball managed to find the pocket and Hines escaped with the win 7-6. This set up the hot seat between Hines and Pan.

Hines took the first lead in the hot seat, up 2-1 but Pan was quick to get back to the table and take the lead at 3-2. Hines retaliated with a run-out to tie at 3-3 but a scratch in the next rack advanced Pan's score to 4-3. Pan took the opportunity of the break and controlled the table securing the out, to jump to 5-3. Pan treated the crowd to a beautifully executed jump-cut on the one-ball in the next rack but missed the three. Unfortunately for Hines, that was the last shot she'd see as Pan returned to the table and ran out that rack, and the next, for the win at 7-3.

On the one-loss side, Bonnie Coats, who had defeated Dawn Fox 7-4, and Jeannie Seaver 7-2 before falling in a hill-hill fight with Sørenson, took wins over Amy Poulter 7-2, and Dawn Fox again 7-4 to advance. Alongside her was Seaver, taking a win over fellow touring pro Tiffany Nelson 7-4 followed with a win over Emily Wilmoth 7-5. Seaver then fell to Sørenson 7-5 as Sørenson advanced to play Atwell for a chance in the semifinals. Atwell took the advantage and defeated Sørenson 7-4 to move on for a rematch against Hines.

Hines made her way to the semifinals on the one-loss side for a rematch against Atwell. Hines seemed fresher entering the match, and took an early 5-3 advantage. Hines continued her drive toward the finish and was first to get on the hill leading 6-4. But, it seemed that Atwell got a moment to rest and found her energy and focus in the next rack, making an excellent slice on the 5-ball to set up the run out to trail 6-5. Atwell then made three balls on the break and ran out to get on the hill, making for another exciting double-hill match. A scratch on the break by Atwell was all Hines needed to set up a run out in the final rack to win 7-6 and get into the finals.

Pan was rested up and ready to shine in the finals against Hines. Pan ran out the first rack and a miss on the 9 by Hines in the second rack saw Pan leading 2-0. Pan kept control of the table with her explosive break, running out to a 4-9 carom in the next game. A safety battle over the 3-ball ended with Pan running the table to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead. Pan was showing no sign of fading as she broke and ran to further advance to 5-0. A safety battle in the next rack ended with Pan taking another rack to get on the hill at 6-0. Pan made three balls on the next break but got out of line on the 4-ball and decided to go for an aggressive kick shot to try to finish the rack. Pan missed the kick and Hines took ball in hand and ran out to get on the board, trailing 6-1. Unfortunately for Hines, Pan received the chance she needed in the next game and closed the set out at 7-1. Pan secured the WPBA qualifier for the Cuetec Cues Carolina Classic, donated by LTLUniverse.com, along with a handful of cash.