Champion Engert Delighted With Second Win

THOMAS Engert believes winning the 2007 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters is one of the best achievements of his career.

Engert, 41, clinched the trophy and $20,000 top prize thanks to an 8-5 victory in the final against David Alcaide to win the competition for the second time.

The German also won the Masters in 2004 but insisted this success was more satisfying as he had been struggling for form and illness before and during the event.

“It’s always great to win a tournament, especially like this with the media and 16 of the top players around the world," said Engert.

"With it being a race to eight. it’s hard to win as you never know what’s going to happen. It’s a really big thing for me to win this tournament.

"I’ve played here for the last three years and I was in good shape. But this year I’ve been struggling in tournaments and did not do so well on the Euro Tour. I lost some tight matches and it takes your self confidence away. But this is one of the biggest tournaments and broadcast on television.

"Matchroom Sport always do a really good job and I would like to be at such a tournament every week.

“It’s a different story to 2004 as then I was very confident because I won the Challenge of Champions two weeks before and came here not afraid to lose. But this time I was struggling and it’s harder to win when you’re struggling.

"In 2004 it was my first Masters victory but this is a bigger thing because I felt not so well and felt sick from two days ago."

Engert had stayed in bed for most of the early part of the day due to being ill but then, due to the nature of the competition, had to play three games on Sunday.

But he insisted that he never had any intentions to withdraw from the competition.

"It started two days ago it started with throat problems and yesterday evening I went to bed at 9.30pm and slept for a long time until 1.30pm the next day. I played my (quarter-final) match against Wu and then had to rest a bit.

"I didn't feel well but I never thought about not playing. I was very focused – winning was the only thing I was thinking about. As a result I was calm and just tried to focus.

"The problem when you play David is that we know each other so well as we've played a lot of games.

"You're playing a European team mate from the Mosconi Cup so I know how good he is. He won a big tournament in England recently and played some good matches in Holland.

" I made some hard shots on the table and they are tight pockets so it’s not easy to play on. I made these shots and that was a big reason I won."

Date posted: June 11, 2007