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Three in a row for Advani

Y.B. Sarangi

Champion rallies from a 2-4 deficit against Geet Sethi

— Photo: S. Subramanium

TRUE CHAMPION: Pankaj Advani showed immense mental strength to capture his third consecutive National billiards title in Agra on Saturday.

AGRA: Pankaj Advani staged a brilliant comeback to beat old warhorse Geet Sethi 5-4 and win his third National billiards title in a row here on Saturday.

Trailing 2-4 at one stage, Advani exhibited tremendous mental strength and doggedness to wipe out the deficit and beat Sethi 42-150, 154-27, 0-152, 152-0, 11-150, 91-150, 150-15, 150-63 and 151-12 in the best-of-nine game final of the 76th National billiards championship.

Quick lead

Sethi scored a break of 135 to take 1-0 lead in quick time. However, Advani, carving out some brilliant cannons from difficult ball positions, gave a befitting reply and notched up a break of 141 to win the second game.

In the third game, Sethi shrugged off a distraction from the viewers’ gallery to garner some crucial points from delicate in-offs. He amassed a break of 152 to go 2-1 up.

The contest warmed up again as Advani scored some brilliant cannons and finished the next game with a red pot. The Bangalore-based player built a break of 152 to draw parity for the second time.

Long-range cannons

The fifth game went in favour of Sethi, who came up with some outstanding long-range cannons to register a break of 144 and a 3-2 lead.

The 48-year-old managed to extend the lead to 4-2 even though the next game swung teasingly with both players scoring smaller breaks amidst nervous moments.

However, Advani bounced back in style to gather three consecutive century breaks of 118, 124 and 137 to emerge winner in the contest that lasted three hours and 40 minutes.

In the ninth and final game, Sethi had a chance to win the match when Advani faltered while trying a pot. However, the former world champion spoilt his chances.

Describing his title triumph as one of his best victories, Advani admitted that he was low on confidence after trailing 2-4. “When I made it 3-4, I thought I could win,” he said.

Advani said, in India National championships are as tough as World championships and Sethi was in top form in the final. Sethi was gracious in defeat. “This is one of the best ever finals in the Nationals. I am happy to be part of it. Pankaj could make the comeback because of his sheer mental strength,” he said.

In the third place play-off, Devendra Joshi defeated Dhruv Sitwala 150-2, 17-151 and 151-11.

The scores: Final: Pankaj Advani (PSPB) bt Geet Sethi (Gujarat) 42-150, 154-27, 0-152, 152-0 , 11-150, 91-150, 150-15, 150-63 and 151-12; Third place play-off: Devendra Joshi (PSPB) bt Dhruv Sitwala (PSPB) 150-2, 17-151 and 151-11.

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