Alex Kazakis cast aside the agony of his 2019 Dafabet World Pool Masters final loss by shutting out Shane van Boening 9-0 to claim the 2021 title at Europa Sports Park in Gibraltar. The result set a record for the widest margin in a Masters final and marked the first time a finalist won zero racks. This personal redemption capped a career marked by narrow escapes and self-doubt, highlighting resilience under pressure in precision cue disciplines.
Haunted by Close Calls
Two years earlier, Kazakis led but lost position on the 9-ball against David Alcaide. At hill-hill, he watched helplessly as the Spaniard banked the decisive shot for victory. Recent setbacks compounded the pain: a critical error in the 2018 Mosconi Cup, and a semi-final collapse at the World 9-Ball Championship against Joshua Filler, all within five months. These moments fueled inner doubts, as Kazakis later revealed, making every high-stakes moment a test of belief.
Gripping Semi-Final Breakthrough
The path to the final tested Kazakis anew in a 7-6 decision over Eklent Kaci, a hill-hill affair filled with nerves and uneven play. Kazakis admitted poor execution but credited fortune for advancing, calling it his luckiest win ever. Post-encounter, he confided in his coach about recurring "bad rolls," yet carried renewed resolve into the decisive session, unburdened by expectations.
Flawless Control and Jubilation
In the final, Kazakis seized early control, racing to 3-0 after a missed opportunity by van Boening, who had survived his own hill-hill semi-final against Joshua Filler. Echoing his prior strong start, Kazakis extended to 5-0, then 6-0 via sharp safety play, and cleared to 7-0 despite van Boening's lone chance. The American's final bid faltered on a missed 2-ball, sealing Kazakis's $25,000 prize. An emotional Kazakis exclaimed, “I can’t really believe it. It is amazing. Everything went my way... Finally the door opened.” He celebrated atop the Rasson table amid cheers from supporters who backed his comeback.
New Confidence, Next Challenges
“When you are always knocking on the door, the most difficult part is to win the first... now it will be much easier,” Kazakis reflected, viewing this as his career pinnacle. Fans sensed his overdue success after 2019. The Matchroom Pool Series continues with the World Pool Championship from June 6-10 at Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, where final-day tickets at £25 allow spectators at www.matchroompool.com.
