Joshua Filler wins world 9-ball title

Doha Qatar: Germany’s Joshua Filler defeated crowd favourite Carlo Biado of the Philippines to win the World 9-Ball Championship in Doha on Thursday.

In the final played at the Al Arabi Sports Club hall, Joshua won 13-10 in the race-to-13-format final to win a beautiful trophy and $40,000 in prize money.

Biado had defeated Lin Wu Kun of Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals and Shane Van Boening of the US in the last four in convincing fashion but against Filler, he could not find his touch.

Filler, who was stretched by Alexandros Kazakis of Greece in the semifinals, meanwhile was ready for the defending champion.

“Yes it was a thriller,” said Filler. I was expecting a tough match and he had chances to come back. I was under pressure but now I'm just over the moon that I’ve won the championship.”

Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation president Mohamed Mubarak Al Ramzani presented the winner’s trophy to Filler in the presence of World Pool-Billiard Association President Ian Anderson.