Fedor Gorst wins World 9-ball Championship in Doha

Doha, Qatar: Russian teenager Fedor Gorst won the 2019 World 9-ball Championship in Doha, Qatar, after defeating Chang Jung Lin of Taiwan, 13-11.

Earlier in the semifinal, Gorst defeated World 10-ball Champion Ko Ping Chung 11-7 in a fascinating battle of two of the sports finest young talents.

Chang, meanwhile, was extremely comfortable in his 11-5 victory against China’s Lui Haitao.

“I don’t quite understand how big this win is yet. My game wasn’t that good in the semifinal and I don’t think I played that well in the final. But it’s an amazing feeling to pot that 9-ball. I just feel real good right now," said Gorst.

“There was a lot of stuff going on in my mind throughout the match. This stuff happens in long gambling matches, you’re up and down and back and forth. I was really distracted. I wasn’t paying attention at times because he was playing really slow. I tried not to think about it but I was getting angry, but then I told myself there’s nothing you can do about it.

“I got really lucky at the times when I really needed to win the rack. I wouldn’t say I won the match in a lucky way, but kind of.

“I’m sure this win will help me in the future because it proves to me that I have what it takes to play and win under pressure. You can’t win an event like this if you can’t play under pressure. So that’s a really good thing.”

Gorst received $30,000 for winning the title while Chang took home $15,000. The total prize fund was $150,000.