Kelly Fisher Triumphs at the Historic 2024 WPBA Borderline Brunswick Invitational
Champion Kelly Fisher, Borderline Billiards Owner Janet Atwell, Runner-up Kristina Tkach
The WPBA Borderline Brunswick Invitational, hosted at Janet Atwell's newly opened pool room in Bristol, Tennessee, marked a significant event in the WPBA calendar. This tournament was notably the first in many years to be held on the pristine Brunswick Gold Crown 6 tables, providing an exquisite setting for some of the best talents in women's billiards.
Event Highlights: The competition was fierce with Kelly Fisher emerging victorious, claiming the top prize of $10,000. Fisher's journey to the championship was a testament to her resilience and skill, as she defeated Tina Larsen 8-1, April Larson 8-3, Kaylee McIntosh 8-3, and Pia Filler 8-2 to reach the HotSeat Match. Despite an initial setback losing 4-8 to Kristina Tkach, Fisher bounced back in the third-place match by beating Pia Filler once more, setting up a thrilling finals rematch. Fisher clinched her redemption with a 10-7 victory over Tkach.
Kristina Tkach had an impressive run to the finals, maintaining an undefeated streak with victories over Laura Smith 8-0, Susan Williams 8-5, Sofia Mast 8-3, Savannah Easton 8-2, and eventually overcoming Kelly Fisher before facing her again in the decisive match.
Emerging Talents: A notable story from the event was 14-year-old Savannah Easton, who showcased her burgeoning talent by reaching the final four of the winners' bracket before losing to Kristina Tkach. Easton then secured a commendable 4th place, her highest finish on the Pro Tour since joining two years ago at the age of 12.
Pia Filler, another standout competitor, achieved her highest finish since joining the tour this year by securing 3rd place. Residing in Germany, Filler has committed to participating in as many WPBA events as possible, demonstrating her dedication to the sport.
Final Standings:
1st Place: 🥇 Kelly Fisher - $10,000
2nd Place: 🥈 Kristina Tkach - $6,000
3rd Place: 🥉 Pia Filler - $4,000
4th Place: 💰 Savannah Easton - $3,000
5th-6th Place: 💰 Kristina Zlateva, Tzu-Chien Wei - $2,000 each
7th-8th Place: 💰 April Larson, Brittany Bryant - $1,500 each
9th-12th Place: 💰 LoreeJon Brown, Ashley Rice, Sofia Mast, Kaylee McIntosh - $1,200 each
13th-16th Place: 💰 Kennedy Meyman, Laura Smith, Kelly Isaac, Veronique Menard - $950 each
17th-24th Place: 💰 Janet Atwell, Teruko Cucculelli, Briana Miller, Erica Testa, Margarita Fefilova, Ashley Benoit, Emily Duddy, Susan Williams - $700 each
The WPBA Borderline Brunswick Invitational was not just a display of top-tier billiards action but also a celebration of the sport's growth and the emerging talent within the women's professional circuit. A special thanks to our sponsors and the dedicated efforts of Janet Atwell and her team for hosting this splendid event.
As we look forward to more exciting competitions, the WPBA remains committed to showcasing the best of women's billiards on the world stage. Stay tuned for our next event, promising even more thrilling pool action!
