Ruiz and Capito Set for Epic US Open Final: A Historic Quest at the Green Table

Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and Robbie Capito will battle for the 2026 US Open Pool Championship title in Frisco, Texas. Ruiz, the Spanish cueist, is chasing a historic second crown, while Capito, representing the Philippines, hopes to etch his name onto the prestigious Barry Behrman Trophy for the first time. The final takes place at 4 p.m. CDT on August 30, 2026, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and WNT TV. The event marks the 49th edition of the historic tournament, held at the Embassy Suites in Frisco, Texas, from August 25 to 30. With a 256-player field competing from around the globe, the US Open Pool Championship remains one of the most prestigious events in professional pool. Ruiz's road to the final has been anything but easy. In the quarterfinals, he faced former champion Joshua Filler of Germany. The match was tense from the start. Filler reached the hill at 9-7 and needed just one more rack to seal victory. However, a dry break handed Ruiz a golden opportunity. He capitalized, leveling the score at 9-9 before completing a remarkable comeback to win 10-9. In the semifinals, Ruiz met fellow Spaniard David Alcaide. The opening racks were tightly contested, but Ruiz found another gear in the second half, pulling away to secure a 10-6 victory. Reflecting on his return to the US Open final, Ruiz said: “I'm so happy to be in the final. I had a really tough battle against Josh and had to give everything I had. He's a great player, maybe even the best in the world, so getting that win gave me a lot of momentum.” Capito, meanwhile, has enjoyed an equally impressive run. In the quarterfinals, he faced 2026 champion Fedor Gorst. Despite the crowd behind his opponent, Capito remained composed, prevailing 10-8. That marked his sixth consecutive victory over the former World No. 1 on the World Nineball Tour. He then produced another composed display to beat recently crowned Phoenix Open champion Aleksa Pecelj 10-5 in the semifinals, earning his second Matchroom Major final appearance. “It's overwhelming to be in the US Open final. It means so much to me and shows that all the hard work is paying off,” said Capito. “Even though I've beaten Gorst a few times before on Tour, I knew it was going to be a battle. I just stayed focused and got the job done.” Both players now stand on the brink of history. Ruiz aims to become just the tenth player to win the US Open multiple times, while Capito looks to become the latest first-time champion. The final promises a clash of styles. Ruiz is known for his methodical play and excellent safety game, while Capito brings flair and confidence. With titles at stake, the encounter could be decided by each player's ability to handle pressure during key moments. Ruiz already has the 2026 title to his name, giving him invaluable experience. Capito, at 27, is young and hungry, and his dominant 7-0 lead against Pecelj in the semifinal showcased his focus. Will Ruiz make his dream of a second title a reality, or will Capito claim the biggest win of his career? The answer unfolds in the most anticipated final of the year.