Bialecki claims second ProTour title exactly one year after maiden triumph

SEBASTIAN BIALECKI admits he is “over the moon” after sealing a stunning second ProTour title exactly a year on from his maiden triumph.

The world No56 produced a nerveless display to edge past Mario Vandenbogaerde 8-6 in a gripping final at Players Championship 26.

Bialecki, 22, averaged a superb 94.01 to defeat Gian van Veen 7-4 in the semi-finals, having earlier seen off Damon Heta 6-2 in the last eight.

He said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. Before this tournament, when I was in the room, I saw on Facebook my memories.

“It was a year ago when I won my first one. I am over the moon now with this victory.

“I saw a lot of players decided not to come to this tournament. I hoped I could get a good result because the best in the world didn’t come here.

“It was the plan to get one good result. I didn’t expect to win this tournament.

“At the start of this year, I just wanted to secure my Tour Card for the next year. I didn’t expect it could be possible now with a lot of good results at the Euro Tour and UK Open.

“Now my position is good for the big tournaments. I don’t know in the next few months what I can play.

“But if it’s possible, I just want to have good results on the big stage.”

Elsewhere, top seed Wessel Nijman suffered a shock exit in the last 16 after being whitewashed 6-0 by Karel Sedlacek.

Women’s world No1 Beau Greaves saw her run ended in the last 32 after a 6-3 defeat to Heta, while Peter Wright was knocked out in round two following a 6-4 loss to Jeffrey de Graaf.

Former world champion Michael Smith showed signs of a return to form by reaching the third round before being beaten 6-1 by Nijman.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning