Dương Quốc Hoàng defeated the former world number one at the 2025 Men's 10-Ball World Championship.
On a thrilling evening at Military Zone 7 Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City) on September 25, Vietnam’s number one player Dương Quốc Hoàng made history by defeating Joshua Filler – former world number one and top favorite – with a final score of 3-2 in the Last 32 round of the 2025 Men's 10-Ball World Championship (Predator WPA Men's 10-Ball World Championship).
The match promised excitement from the start as Filler, born in 1997 and dubbed Germany’s "billiards prodigy," holds numerous titles: 2018 World 9-Ball Champion, 2022 World Games pool gold medalist, plus multiple Euro Tour, US Open, and Masters wins. His aggressive playing style, decisive technique, and ironclad mentality have always made him a formidable opponent. On the other hand, 38-year-old Dương Quốc Hoàng, the last Vietnamese contender after Phạm Phương Nam was eliminated in the losers’ bracket by Germany’s Moritz Neuhausen 1-2 (1-4, 1-4), carried rich experience from international competitions.
Photo: Box Billiards Pool Vietnam
All four sets broadcast on TV1 showcased Hoàng Sao’s brilliance, truly living up to his "destined champion" status. In Set 1, Filler capitalized on opportunities to win 4-1 despite not dominating. In Set 2, Hoàng exploded off the start with a 3-0 lead; although Filler narrowed it to 2-3, a missed 2-ball shot by the German "ball machine" allowed Hoàng to tie at 4-2. Set 3 saw Filler take control with terrifying precision and scientifically detailed shots, securing an easy 4-1 win and a 2-1 overall lead.
The drama peaked in Set 4. Both players fiercely chased the score, pushing it to hill-hill (3-3). Filler made a crucial mistake on the 9-ball, handing Hoàng Sao the opportunity to overturn the situation with a 4-3 win, leveling the match at 2-2. In the deciding set, Dương Quốc Hoàng played with remarkable confidence, powering through to a convincing 4-1 victory and sealing the match 3-2. Filler, who had previously won doubles with his wife Pia Filler at the 2025 Box Billiards Mixed Doubles Open, ended his journey, while Hoàng advanced to the Last 16 to face Aloysius Yapp (Singapore) – a player known for his record-breaking 4+ hour safety battles.
This win demonstrates Hoàng Sao’s determination, having previously defeated former world champion Thorsten Hohmann 2-1 in the prior round.
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