Shanghai-based pool diva Pan Xiaoting credited her stunning weekend success to a change in her training regime.

China's "Nine-Ball Queen" Pan Xiaoting strikes during the 2007 Amway Wpa Women World 9-Ball Championship in Taiwan of China April 8, 2007. Pan won her first world title after claiming the WPBA title in March. [sina]

Pan etched her name in the record books by becoming the first mainland player to win the world title after capturing the women's World Nine-Ball Championships in Taipei on Sunday.

"I can feel better with my game now," said Pan, who defeated Rubilen Amit of the Philippines 11-5 in the final. "Things went wrong in Doha (Asian Games) but after that I hired a new coach which changed things for the better. I owe a lot to my trainer and those who have worked tirelessly for me over the past few months."

Zeng Zhonghao, a veteran Taiwanese cueist, orchestrated Pan's revival. He joined Pan's entourage after she floundered at the Asian Games in December, where the 25-year-old, going for both individual and team nine-ball competition, managed only two bronze medals.

"Tactic-wise, he made a lot of difference," said Pan. "And the fact that he is a local here also boosted my chances ... I mean, the spectators here rallied behind me just like fans back home in Shanghai."

Pan turned in a dominating performance throughout the event. She emerged from the group stages with a 4-1 record and then went on to score victories over Makiko Tagaki, Monica Webb, former world champion Kelly Fischer and Pei-Chen Tsai to set up a final clash against Amit.

It was Pan's second big victory in the last two weeks. She grabbed her maiden title on the Women's Professional Billiards Association circuit after clinching the Great Lake Classic crown in Michigan City, Indiana, US.