THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 

              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.



DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995           TAG: 9509280484

SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY DWIGHT FOXX, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                         LENGTH: Short :   43 lines

STRICKLAND SAYS CHALLENGE IS THERE FROM OPEN'S START

Earl Strickland is trying to do something this week that tennis star Pete Sampras will try do in 1996.

Win the U.S. Open title for a fourth time.

Strickland advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships by defeating Steve Goulding 11-6 Tuesday afternoon at the Holiday Inn.

Also advancing into the third round was defending champion Efren Reyes, who defeated Katsunori Nawai, 11-7.

Dave Bollman fell to Bill Stephen 11-8. Charlie Williams lost to Ed Matushonek 11-5 late Tuesday.

Strickland says the U.S. Open, along with the World 9-Ball Tournament, are the hardest tournaments to win.

``The U.S. Open is harder to win because of the prestige,'' the Clinton, N.C., native said. ``In some tournaments, you may play guys who don't play the tour all the time. In the U.S. Open, you play more experienced players in the first round.''

It bothers Strickland that his sport is not more popular in this country. He's visited European countries where the game rivals soccer in popularity.

``Pool's a great game,'' he said. ``It's a tradition; it's part of the heritage of this country. . . . It's a game that doesn't take as much money as golf or tennis. Pool is the most intelligent game in the country.''

``When you look back on his career when he retires, he could be the greatest 9-Ball player of all-time,'' Max Massey said.

Today's matches will be held at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. For information, call the Holiday Inn after 11 a.m. at 523-1500. ILLUSTRATION: OPEN RESULTS

[For a copy of the results, see microfilm for this date.]

by CNB