China, Spain face in round 2; England routs Belgium in World Cup of Pool

Photo taken from www.wpa-pool.com

MANILA, Philippines—Two-time winner China opened up its 2012 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool on a winning note at the expense of Singapore, 8-4, Wednesday in Day 2 of the $250,000 single-elimination tournament at the Robinson’s Ermita Midtown Activity Center in Manila.

China, bannered by staple Li Hewen and replacement Liu Haltao, trailed, 3-4, and looked as if Singapore would pad on to its lead.

Chan Keng Kwang, though, botched an easy shot on the brown seven that got Team China back on the table and on rhythm.

Spanish pair of David Alcalde and Francisco Diaz Pizarro also took care of their first assignment in Gabor Solymisi Miko Balazs of Hungary, 8-3.

Both China and Spain will meet in the next round.

Meanwhile, England’s tandem of Chris Melling and Darren Appleton crushed Belgium’s Serge Das and Cliff Castelmein, 8-2.

China, with Li and Fu Jianbo, won in 2007 and 2010.