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Comprehensive: Pankaj Advani shows off his trophies after winning the point format edition of the ONGC IBSF World Billiards Championship in Bangalore yesterday. Advani defeated Geet Sethi 6-1. pic/AFP |
The 6-1 victory over me was convincing, emphatic and most praiseworthy, considering the pressure he was subjected to by an army of well-wishers in his hometown.
Dream final
In a sense, it was a dream final considering the achievements of both cueists and the fact that we both represent different generations.
Much was expected of this match both in terms of quality and competitive drama. However, Advani ensured that it was a dream final for him.
The National champion, Asian Games gold medal winner and the current world time format champ, who triumphed over Rupesh Shah with a mediocre display in the semi-final stepped up his game a notch to establish a commanding 4-0 advantage at the end of the first session.
Such was his dominance in the encounter, that he reduced the tie into a one-horse race and in the process, eliminated all excitement of competitive drama.
Dismal performance
My own performance, which was exceptional in the semi final against Devendra Joshi, was in tatters yesterday.
I failed in every department of the game, managing only a solitary 150 unfinished in the opening game of the second session and fifth of the match. Other than that, I was a mute spectator to the relentless and effective scoring of the 23-year-old.
Advani excelled in keeping the balls in play all the time and whenever he was in trouble, he used his sharp potting skills to get him out of trouble. He had unfinished runs of 79, 145, 150 and 87 besides a 143 in the seventh game. In the final analysis, he was the better player on the day and was the deserving winner. This title takes Advani's count of world titles to four. He had won a double in Malta in 2005 and then won world title in Singapore last year.
The traditional time format edition of the world championship begins today.
Mithul rallies to oust Divesh in state billiards & snooker selection
MITHUL Shinde overcame a patchy start to beat Divesh Gangwani 17-56, 49-10, 30-60, 61-40, 66-37 and win the tie 3-2 to enter the round of 32 at the Malabar Hill Club-Maharashtra State billiards/snooker selection tournament, hosted by Malabar Hill Club yesterday.
Mithul hardly did anything noteworthy at the start as Divesh led 2-1. Mithul later fought back with a couple of small but fruitful breaks which brought him the next two frames and the win.
Results
SENIOR SNOOKER (2nd round): Amit Saboo bt Chandu Kansodaria 59-24, 81-13, 55-35; Gaurav Prabhu bt Vishal Gavali 51-44, 56-30, 50-10; Rahul Narang bt Sahil Khan 77-48, 71-53, 48-35; R Padhye bt Nishat Shah 45-34, 54-16, 63-27 Mahesh Jagdale bt Siddharth Sogani 44-66, 53-28, 44-57, 56-13, 58-42; V. Bhesania bt S Sancheti 36-68, 51-23, 82-70, 42-67, 79-66
