by InsidePOOL Staff

The Women’s Professional Billiard Association’s (WPBA) U.S. Open event has kicked off at Riverwind Casino in Norman, OK. There is a full 64-player field of ladies primed to attempt to wrest the title from Ga Young Kim, the defending champion, and the event will crown a winner August 1.

The Women’s Professional Billiard Association’s (WPBA) U.S. Open event has kicked off at Riverwind Casino in Norman, OK.

So far Kim is doing well, having won her first-round match against Canada’s Veronique Menard 9-2. In fact, there have been remarkable few upsets in the first round, with the exceptions of Cristina De La Garza’s double-hill defeat of Megan Smith, recent Lone Star Billiards Tour victor, and Melinda Bailey’s 9-7 upending of Kim White.

View the Women’s U.S. Open 9-Ball tournament brackets

Last year’s Player of the Year, Jasmin Ouschan, remains undefeated after two rounds on the winners’ side, first besting Rhio Flores 9-5 and then Melinda Bailey 9-0. Vivian “The Texas Tornado” Villareal, who placed very high in several tournaments last season, continues to wreak havoc on the field, delivering first Brianna Miller 9-5 and then Brittany Bryant 9-5 to the one-loss side. Also undefeated after the first two rounds are Karen Corr, Julie Kelly, Iris Ranola, Kelly Fisher, and Melissa Little.

Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.