The Hindu : Sport : Pankaj Advani is billiards champion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007
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Pankaj Advani is billiards champion

V.V. Subrahmanyam

He played better and deserved to win: Shandilya

— Photo: H. Satish

WORTHY CHAMPION: Pankaj Advani, who won the men’s billiards title in Hyderabad on Friday.

HYDERABAD: Pankaj Advani lived up to the expectations, beating five-time National champion Ashok Shandilya of Railways 1325-853 in the final of the men’s seniors billiards of the 74th Senior National billiards & snooker championship held at the Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy Indoor Stadium (Yousufguda) here on Friday.

Relying on consistency which was evident by seven half-century breaks and just two century breaks, the 22-year-old reigning World champion clinched his second National billiards title in a methodical fashion. The few youngsters here for the Nationals were given a treat in the art of scoring points from seemingly difficult positions on the top of the table.

Big breaks

Clearly in no mood to let go the opportunity, Advani made optimum use of the visits he made to the table. The big breaks of 199 on the 47th and 117 on the 59th visits apparently helped his cause just when Shandilya seemed to be getting into the groove.

Shandilya had one century break of 115 on the 57th visit, and an unfinished 81 on the last. After the match, Shandilya suggested that the final could have been played on a different table than the one on which Advani was familiar having played the semifinal.

“I am not offering that as an excuse but somehow the balls were not splitting and just going through.

“Definitely, Pankaj played better and deserved to be the winner today,” he said.

With two big breaks of 90 and 99 on the fifth and 99 on 15th visit, Advani led by a comfortable 577-290 margin after the morning session. On the other hand, the 39-year-old Shandilya had one noticeable break of 60 on 15th.

Great start

“Probably, the start which I got made the difference,” Advani said.

The sighs of exasperation from the Railways player when he missed simple red in-offs was proof that he was not in his elements today.

“I did miss quite a few simple chances and the half-time lead was not so big considering that Rupesh had a break of 453 yesterday in the second session,” Shandilya said.

“Well, I don’t think I had any big advantage because of the same table on which I played the semifinal. Ultimately, you have to produce good form,” he said to a query.

Earlier, there was some consolation for the eight-time World champion Geet Sethi in the morning as he warded off a spirited challenge from Rupesh Shah, the reigning World champion in time format, with a 692-674 victory. Sethi had one century break of 119 while, Rupesh had two of 124 and 137.

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