Grand double for Pankaj Advani

INDORE:
Crushes Manan Chandra in a lopsided final of the senior national snooker championship

Pankaj Advani of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) bagged a double after crushing Manan Chandra (PSPB) 6-1 in a lopsided final of the Senior National Snooker Championship. Advani had last week won the Senior Billiards crown. Tamil Nadu’s Vidya Pillai claimed her fourth National Snooker title with a hard fought 3-2 win over Chitra M of Karnataka.

Manan had been in tremendous form leading up to the final, as he had 80 and 92 breaks in his semifinal win over Brijesh Damani while he notched up two successive century breaks (100 and 104) in his quarterfinal victory over Kamal Chawla. However, his form was erratic in the final and the resolute Pankaj Advani made the most of his lapses.

The first frame was close with Pankaj making a 67 break. Manan too replied with a 54 However, thereafter it was all one-way traffic as Advani’s potting was sure and his safety play was inch perfect.

Advani had another 52 break in the sixth frame and then clinched the seventh with measured pots.

This was Advani’s third National Snooker title. His earlier triumphs were (Hyderabad 2007) and (Jammu 2003).

“I didn’t expect to win so easily as Manan was playing very well throughout the tournament. I was also a little lucky as he did have some chances in a couple of frames but did not take his opportunities,” said the elated champion.

“My potting improved in the final. I felt I was pretty consistent with my long pots,” stressed Advani.

Advani noted that players like Sourav Kothari and Brijesh Damani are ones to watch out for in the future. “Sourav has been playing really well in recent years and the third place finish was his best in a national’s. Brijesh’s performance came as a pleasant surprise. He had never made it to the semis, so it was a good show by the youngster,” noted the 23-year-old.

Men’s final: Pankaj Advani bt Manan Chandra 6-1 (74(67)-63(54), 55-12, 62-23, 61-31, 37-64, 73(52)-0, 70-16; 3-4 Placing: Sourav Kothari bt Brijesh Damani 4-2 (57-72, 67-23, 39-45, 71-0, 97-25, 66-30); Women’s final: Vidya Pillai bt Chitra Magimairaj 3-2 (71-7, 43-44, 66-36, 37-72, 59-47).