If you didn't know already, here are the scores from yesterday's seeding round and today's head-to-head pairings -
Jonathan PAREDES | MEX - 102.60 v Jucelino JUNIOR | BRA - 74.10
David COLTURI | USA - 102.60 v Kyle MITRIONE | USA - 85.50
Gary HUNT | UK - 100.70 v Steven LOBUE | USA - 85.50
Sergio GUZMAN | MEX - 98.80 v Michal NAVRATIL | CZE - 85.50
Blake ALDRIDGE | UK - 96.90 v Alessandro DE ROSE | ITA - 89.30
Andy JONES | USA - 96.90 v Kris KOLANUS | POL - 89.30
Miguel GARCIA | COL - 96.90 v Orlando DUQUE | COL - 91.20
Just a few more minutes now. The divers have had a few warm up efforts, and now the competition begins. For the final time this year, here we go...It's time to dive!
Nice start from Jucelino Junior. He matches Jonathan Paredes with a 96.90, but the Mexican will still take a healthy lead into their final head-to-head round.
Next up, two Americans go head-to-head. Another 96.90 for Kyle Mitrione, and David Colturi scores 95.00. The bearded Colturi still holds a 15 point lead in that one.
Now for Gary Hunt...and it's another beautiful dive from the Brit. He carries a 24 point lead over Steven Lobue into their final head-to-head round.
Brilliant effort from Michal Navratil (98.80), and he cuts Sergio Guzman's (91.20) lead down to 5.7 points.
Oh dear, not a great dive from Blake Aldridge there, and he's let Alessandro De Rose back into this head-to-head. They're tied on 171.00 as it stands.
Wow, what about this from Kris Kolanus! A 98.80 brings him to within 1.9 points of Andy Jones (93.10). That will put some pressure on the American, for sure.
So, here are the scores after the 1st round of head-to-heads -
Jonathan PAREDES | MEX - 199.50 v Jucelino JUNIOR | BRA - 171.00
David COLTURI | USA - 197.60 v Kyle MITRIONE | USA - 182.40
Gary HUNT | UK - 199.90 v Steven LOBUE | USA - 175.00
Sergio GUZMAN | MEX - 190.00 v Michal NAVRATIL | CZE - 184.30
Blake ALDRIDGE | UK - 171.00 v Alessandro DE ROSE | ITA - 171.00
Andy JONES | USA - 190.00 v Kris KOLANUS | POL - 188.10
Miguel GARCIA | COL - 169.10 v Orlando DUQUE | COL - 184.30
So, a couple of tight match-ups going into the final head-to-head round. Blake Aldridge and Alessandro De Rose, both tied on 171.00, is a very interesting one. Next round then, here we go...
Ouch, a painful entry for Jucelino Junior (277.00). No problems for Jonathan Paredes (324.45), and he's comfortably through to the final.
David Colturi steps up, Kyle Mitrione's 295.50 to beat...
It's not a great dive from Colturi, but it's enough to see him through to the final with 309.20.
Steven LoBue, what a dive!! Perfection and he'll put a little bit of pressure on Gary Hunt with a score of 322.90.
Here comes Gary, with a running take-off...
But it's all gone wrong, and he loses his head-to-head with Steven LoBue. Maybe, just maybe, he can sneak through as lucky loser. We'll see...
Michal Navratil now, working the crowd and then executing an armstand take-off...brilliant (323.95)! But look at this, Sergio Guzman (333.00) with a sensational dive and he'll be the one heading to the final.
Now for that tight match-up between Alessandro De Rose and Blake Aldridge. And...it's the Brit who surges through with 322.20.
So, can Andy Jones see off the challenge of the impressive wildcard, Kris Kolanus? It's going to be tough, the Pole has just posted a score of 315.50. The tall, bearded American steps up...
Andy holds his breath as he waits for the score...and he's through to the final with 325.15.
In the final head-to-head, it's Orlando Duque (327.10) who comfortably progresses against Miguel Garcia (276.35)
So, would you believe it, Gary Hunt will miss the final for the first time this year. Here are the 8 finalists who will fight it out for victory.
Sergio GUZMAN | MEX - 333.00
Orlando DUQUE | COL - 327.10
Andy JONES | USA - 325.15
Jonathan PAREDES | MEX - 324.45
Lucky loser - Michal NAVRATIL | CZE - 323.95
Steven LOBUE | USA - 322.90
Blake ALDRIDGE | UK - 322.20
David COLTURI | USA - 309.20
After the first two dives in the final, Blake Aldridge leads with 467.80. David Colturi scored 438.00. Here comes Steven LoBue...
Wow! What a dive...again!! Steven's on 481.50, and holds the lead as we stand.
Now for Michal Navratil, pumping up the crowd as always...
He loves it, he pumps his fist...but it's not enough. He lies in 3rd with 445.85.
Bad news for Jonathan Paredes (436.65). It's a messy entry for the Mexican and he won't be making the podium today.
Andy Jones up next, but he's not happy with that final dive (434.35). He has, though, wrapped up automatic qualification to the 2016 World Series. Well done Andy!
So close for Orlando Duque! He scores 469.90 and takes 2nd place on the podium. Sergio Guzman doesn't do enough in his final dive, and that's it...
What an amazing afternoon, pure drama! Joining Steven LoBue on the podium are Orlando Duque in 2nd place, and Blake Aldridge in 3rd.
Steven LoBue is the hero today, but let's not forget that Gary Hunt is now celebrating a 5th World Series win in seven years. Congratulations both, let the party start!!