2026 OLHAUSEN IRON CITY INVITATIONAL
The Final Stage of the 2026 WPBA Olhausen Iron City Invitational VI began with 16 players advancing to Iron City Billiards in Birmingham, Alabama. The field represented a strong mix of tour regulars and players who had battled through earlier rounds to earn their place. With money rounds in effect, the pressure was on from the opening match of the stage.
Friday saw steady fan support throughout the day as the opening round narrowed the field. Several matches came down to late momentum swings as players fought to stay alive and move forward. By the end of the evening, eight players had secured spots to continue their runs, while the remaining competitors closed out solid tournament performances.
Saturday marked the push toward the later rounds, with the spotlight on players who found another gear when it mattered most. Kristina Tkach continued her strong form, navigating the bracket with poise and consistency. Pia Filler also advanced after a series of composed performances under pressure. Savannah Easton earned her way into the later rounds with a standout performance, marking the best finish of her WPBA career. Kristina Zlateva also secured a spot in the final eight, setting up a competitive group heading into Sunday.
Joining them were Brittany Bryant, Mayte Ropero, Ashley Benoit, and Caroline Pao, all of whom showed resilience and quality play throughout the Final Stage. With the field now reduced, every match carried added weight as players pushed toward Sunday.
Final Four
The finals kicked off Sunday morning with two matches to determine the top four. Each matchup featured players who had demonstrated consistency throughout the week and were now tested under the highest pressure of the event.
Kristina Tkach continued her steady run in her semifinal, controlling the table when opportunities presented themselves and staying composed through key moments. On the opposite side of the bracket, Pia Filler delivered another confident performance, maintaining discipline and capitalizing on openings to earn her place in the championship match.
Simultaneously, the remaining semifinal determined third and fourth place. Savannah Easton continued her impressive run, showing composure in a high-pressure setting and further solidifying a career-best WPBA finish. Kristina Zlateva also turned in a strong showing, once again demonstrating the form that carried her deep into the Final Stage.
Championship Match
This set up a championship match between Kristina Tkach and Pia Filler, two players who had been among the most consistent performers throughout the tournament. The final reflected the quality expected at this stage, with both competitors displaying strong shot-making and table management as they battled for the title.
In the end, Kristina Tkach completed an impressive tournament run to capture the championship. Pia Filler finished as runner-up after another strong showing on tour. Savannah Easton claimed third place, while Kristina Zlateva rounded out the top four.
The WPBA would like to thank Olhausen Billiards, Iron City Billiards, tournament staff, sponsors, and fans for their continued support. With another successful Iron City Invitational in the books, the tour now looks ahead to the remainder of the 2026 season.
