18th November, Palembang: 2017 World Championships Team gold medallist, Natasha Roslan of Malaysia topped the Women's opening block of six games at the 55th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup ahead of Kelly Kulick of USA in second and Stephanie Martins of Brazil third.

Singapore's World Cup debutant, Fion Liew got off the block with 229 in her opening game to lead Germany's Nadine Geissler by 11 pins and Natasha Roslan in third, a further two pins away. Kulick, Scotland's Tania Yusaf and England's Isabelle Allen tied fourth position with 214.

2015 World Women's Championships Singles gold medallist, Jeon Eunhee of Korea added a sizzling 245 to her moderate 193 opener to take over the lead. Russia's Maria Koshel added 215 to her opening game of 214 to take up second, nine pins behind and just two pins ahead of Roslan, who shot 211 in her second game.

The 23-year-old Malaysian took over the running after posting a superb 222 to move six pins ahead of the Korean. 2017 champion, Krizziah Tabora of Philippines picked up her pace to move into third with Stephanie Martins making up grounds as well.

The Malaysian remained in the lead with a moderate 207. Martins and Kulick kept pace with the leading duo in third and fourth positions. The leader ended the block with 222 to top the field with 1306.

Kulick was the strongest finisher with 247 snatching second position with 1293 while Martins held on to third position with 1235. Jeon stumbled to a poor 159 and dropped down to fourth with 1232 while Hungary's Sarolta Dosztaly stormed home to clinch fifth position with 1209.

Two-time champion, Aumi Guerra of Dominican Republic did well to finish in seventh position. Tabora completed the top 10 with 1194, just one pin behind 2017 World Championships Singles bronze medallist, Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong in ninth.

The women will resume with their second block of six games tomorrow at 09:00hrs local time while the men will contest their second block at 14:00hrs.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Palembang, Indonesia.