by Wax
ESL Open Cup history was made in week #228, as MaxPax became the first player to ever win two server cups in the same week without dropping a single map in either competition.
Before MaxPax could get to work, the week began with SHIN coming out as the surprise winner on the Korean server. Despite suffering a disappointing first round elimination in the current season of Code S, SHIN was able to run through several GSL-caliber players including Ryung, ByuN, Dark, and Classic to become the weekly champion.
MaxPax's record-setting night began on the European server, where his nemesis Clem had decided to skip the week's tournament. The secretive Dane took full advantage of the opportunity and rampaged through the bracket, beating Fairespiter, imius, Gerald, HeroMarine, and finally Lambo without losing a single map. Besides MaxPax's perfect run, another point of interest was the unexpected participation of Solar. Players from east Asia rarely participate in the EU cup due to the latency, but Solar showed his quality by making it to the RO4 before being eliminated by Lambo.
MaxPax preserved his momentum as the competition moved onto the Americas, and yet again, no one could stop the elite Protoss. This time, MaxPax took out Milo, BerryPunch, Jason, Creator, and soO to claim victory, putting up a combined 22-0 map score as he recorded the first ever "perfect double." The Americas cup also saw recent military returnee Trap reach the RO8 with a 2-1 victory over ByuN, marking the second time he's finished top eight in the Open Cups since his return.
ESL Open: Korean Cup (partial bracket shown)
*****
ESL Open: European Cup (partial bracket shown)
*****
ESL Open: American Cup (partial bracket shown)