Sanchez Ruiz Wins Second US Open Title in Hill-Hill Decider

Francisco Sanchez Ruiz wrote his name into US Open history again, beating Robbie Capito 13-12 in a dramatic hill-hill final to claim his second US Open crown.

Four years after first winning the title in 2022, the Spaniard denied Capito what would have been the biggest win of his career, becoming just the tenth player in the tournament's 49-year history to win the US Open more than once. The result also lifts Sanchez Ruiz to third in the world rankings.

"It feels amazing. I gave absolutely everything to win today, and it worked. I feel so lucky to be able to put the green jacket back on one more time," Sanchez Ruiz said. "Robbie is a great player and he gave me a very tough final. When he was on the hill, I just stayed focused, believed in myself and trusted my game until the very end. This is my favourite tournament. Winning it in 2022 was so special, but to come back four years later and do it again means even more."

Final: Francisco Sanchez Ruiz 13-12 Robbie Capito

Capito won the lag and opened with a safety battle, but Sanchez Ruiz produced an escape to pot the one ball and take the opening rack. Capito had a chance to level after a failed safety on the four ball but couldn't capitalise, and Sanchez Ruiz moved ahead.

A scratch from Sanchez Ruiz let Capito level in the second, before the Filipino ran out the third to lead 2-1. Sanchez Ruiz hit back immediately, capitalising on a dry break and winning two more racks to move 4-2 in front.

The match continued to swing both ways: Capito levelled at 4-4 before Sanchez Ruiz edged ahead at 5-4, then Capito drew level again at 5-5 before a hanging two ball handed Sanchez Ruiz the lead once more. A strong safety on the seven ball in the 11th rack forced a foul from Capito, extending the Spaniard's edge, before Capito fought back through another safety exchange to tie the match at 7-7.

Sanchez Ruiz regained the lead after a missed one ball from Capito, but a scratch off his own break gave the initiative back to the Filipino, who won three racks in a row to move 10-8 ahead. Facing the possibility of defeat, Sanchez Ruiz responded with a clutch 3-9 combination to cut the gap to 10-9, then won the next rack to level at 10-10.

Capito moved ahead again at 11-10 and reached the hill at 12-10, one rack from his first US Open title. But a missed five ball from Capito gave Sanchez Ruiz an opening, and he took it to reach the hill himself at 12-11. In the deciding rack, Sanchez Ruiz called a push-out before Capito attempted the two ball and left the table open. Sanchez Ruiz cleared up to seal a 13-12 win.

"I've had a tough week. I struggled a lot at the beginning of the tournament, but I changed my mentality and just tried to enjoy every match, no matter what happened," Sanchez Ruiz said. "The crowd gave me so much energy out there. To experience that and then win the US Open again is an incredible feeling."

The win marks Sanchez Ruiz's second US Open title and moves him to third in the world rankings after a $100,000 ranking-points payday.

The World Nineball Tour continues in Manila, Philippines, with the third Reyes Cup running October 15–18, where Team Asia will defend their title against Team Rest of the World. World champion Carlo Biado and US Open finalist Robbie Capito, making his Reyes Cup debut, will feature for Team Asia, while newly crowned champion Sanchez Ruiz lines up for Team Rest of the World alongside five-time US Open champion Shane Van Boening, also making his Reyes Cup debut.