The past three years Kelly Fisher has been knocking on the door. Even though she dominated the snooker world as a seven-time European champion, her goal has been to rise to the top of the Women’s Professional Billiards Association.

While she has climbed the rankings and won several events, Fisher hadn’t broken the stranglehold that has been held on the tour’s major titles.

But that ended Sunday when Fisher won the 2008 WPBA U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship. The player they call Kwikfire beat upstart Iris Ranola 7-1 in the championship at Riverwind Casino.

Along with earning her first U.S. Open title, Kelly Fisher rose from No. 5 to take over the top ranking on the WPBA tour after Allison Fisher failed to defend her 2007 Open title.

“I just have so many emotions going through me at the moment,” Fisher said. “I can’t believe I have won it and am No. 1. It has all come at once from nowhere.”

Allison Fisher will drop to the sixth position while Ga Young Kim and Xiaoting Pan are tied for fourth. Sarah Ellerby rounds out the top-five.

Kelly Fisher had a shot last year to win the title when she made it to the finals. But an untimely scratch on the 9-ball sealed her fate. Yet, the England native was able to get past it and come back this year and the biggest victory over her career.

“Last year to get to the finals of the U.S. Open and scratching on the nine, I so much wanted it,” Fisher said. “I am so pleased. My emotions are everywhere.”

After beating three top-10 players on her way to the finale, Ranola could not get by Fisher. However, the rookie playing in only her second tour event is a star on the rise.

“It’s a good thing,” Ranola said. “I made it to the finals. I played my best so I am not disappointed or sad. She played good. I accept my loss. I hope to get more exposure and sponsors, too. It’s hard for me to join all the tournaments. I have to qualify and travel a lot. This could be a good start, I hope.”

The WPBA announced after the championship that it will be coming back to Norman next year for another tour event. It has not been decided whether it will be for the U.S. Open Championship or a regular tour event.

But if it was up to Fisher, all tour titles would be held in Norman.

“Riverwind has been fantastic,” Fisher said. “This potentially could be my new favorite place. They treat us like royalty. And I’m not saying that because I won.”

Michael Kinney

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