Lightning strikes twice for Vanessa Zhang as she once again had to settle for a second place finish in the same event, losing out to Zhang Yu Tong in the Hublot Elite High-Roller event in the World Poker Tour (WPT) Sanya.
Zhang Yu Tong actually stole the chip-lead from Vanessa when the Final Table shifted to the Featured Table and proceeded to eliminate the remaining players en route to heads-up.
Vanessa found a way to double up once, but still lost out in the end and left the stage in tears as she was comforted by her supporters which included lady ace Jin Tian of Team J88 Poker.
Runner-up again!
It was the second runner-up finish for the young lady from China after she lost a heartbreaker to eventual titlist Sun Yun Sheng last year.
WPT President and CEO Adam Pliska was on hand to award Zhang Yu Tong his trophy and prize money of $178,605 as well as a limited edition WPT timepiece made by renowned Swiss watch manufacturer Hublot, one of the official sponsors of the WPT.
A distraught Vanessa acknowledged the applause of those still in attendance (as Pilska recognized her efforts during the awarding ceremony) and eventually posed for photos on stage with her friends and family present. She pocketed $112,475 this time around, eclipsing the $90,002 her made last year.
Vanessa also made it to the Final Table of the Main Event last year, but was the first bust out and also cashed in two Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) events in 2016 while her latest score was in the Main Event of the recently concluded CPG China Championships here in Sanya last August.
After two second place finishes in the same event, Vanessa Zhang could be due for a big score very soon.
Congratulations to Zhang Yu Tong and somuchpoker.com was there to witness his first live victory.
Story by Noel Zarate
More: WPT Sanya – Full Event coverage
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
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