Alexander Lakhov Wins WPT Merit Classic In Occupied Cyprus

The Turkish-occupied territory of Northern Cyprus recently played host to the WPT Merit Classic, and emerging victorious at the $4,400 Main Event was Russia’s Alexander Lakhov, whose $325,400 win now pushes his live career earnings to $1,560,144.
The event took place at the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino, and attracted 404 players to create a prize pool worth $1,486,720. Many big name pros also turned out for the tournament and amongst those cashing in at one of the 45 paid spots was Sam Trickett in 31st ($9,500), Sofia Lövgren in 26th ($10,800), Oliver Price in 11th ($22,500), and Antonio Buonanno in 9th ($30,000).
By the time the final table of six had been reached, the tournament still had a number of top pros left in contention, including UK pro Toby Lewis, EPT winner Nicolas Chouity, WPT champ Dmitry Gromov, Russian pro Alexander Lakhov, as well as less experienced players Igor Devkin and Ori Miller.
Nicolas Chouity (K-K) then proceeded to eliminate Igor Devkin (Q-Q) in 6th for $62,000, before being dealt A-A and doing likewise to Ori Miller (K-J) in 5th for $77,000. Toby Lewis then pushed all-in preflop with A-10 and after running into the A-J of Dmitry Gromov subsequently found himself on the rail in 4th for a $102,820 payday.
A little later, Nicolas Chouity looked good to double up after being dealt Ks-Qs and calling Dmitry Gromov’s (2c-2h) all-in bluff on a 9h-Kh-5s-3s board. Unfortunately for Chouity, the case 2d fell on the river to send him out of the event in 3rd ($140,000), whilst heralding in the start of heads-up play.
As the final battle commenced Gromov held a sizeable chip lead over fellow Russian Lakhov, but Gromov (A-A) then lost a massive pot to Lakhov (A-J) who was subsequently able to grind Gromov down to his last 15bbs. Gromov’s last move was to push is A-4 preflop but Lakhov was holding J-J and with no help from the board Dmitry Gromov departed in second spot for $215,000, while Alexander Lakhov recorded the victory, and his biggest score to date of $325,400.
Final Table Results:
1 Alexander Lakhov $325,400
2 Dmitry Gromov    $215,000
3 Nicolas Chouity  $140,000
4 Toby Lewis        $102,820
5 Ori Miller        $77,000
6 Igor Devkin        $62,000