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Super Advani wears crown

Bangalorean defeats Peter Gilchrist 6-2 in summit clash
Last Updated 24 October 2014, 18:52 IST
India’s Pankaj Advani exacted perfect revenge over Peter Gilchrist, downing the Singaporean 6-2 to clinch the IBSF World Billiards Championship (points format) title at Leeds, United Kingdom, on Friday.

The 29-year-old Advani, who had lost 2-3 to Gilchrist in the group stage, was just too good for his 46-year-old rival in the final, scoring a brilliant 23-151 (145), 151 (127)-16, 116-150, 151 (108)-104), 150 (150)-0, 151 (118)-58, 150-04, 150 (77)-145 (104) victory.

With this victory, Advani laid his hands on his 11th world championship title — ninth in billiards— showcasing his burning desire to be the best in the world. The victory also marks a special moment for Advani, who is returning to his first love after a two-year gap, thanks to his professional snooker commitments.

Gilchrist started the contest on a superb note, firing an unfinished break of 145 to take a 1-0 lead. Although way younger than Gilchrist, Advani is a master of many a battle and he responded brilliantly with a break of 127 to level the proceedings.

Gilchrist hit back quickly to win the third when Advani stepped on the accelerator to completely take the game away from the Singaporean. In a closely-fought fourth frame, he held his nerve well, hitting a 108-point break before smashing a sizzling 150 in the fifth.

Almost unstoppable when he is on song, Advani then conjured a 118 in the sixth and then put himself within a frame of victory after clinching the seventh 150-04.

With his back to the wall, Gilchrist had no option but to go for broke and he delayed the inevitable with a 104-point break in the eighth frame. He, however, missed while leading 145-77, handing the initiative back to Advani.

Not the one to throw away gifts, especially in big finals, Advani produced a fine under-pressure 77 unfinished break to regain the title.

On Thursday, Advani had defeated compatriot Sourav Kothari 5-2 in the semifinal while Gilchrist beat Robert Hall 5-3.

Advani and Kolkata’s Kothari were locked 2-2 when the former shifted gears to come out with three century breaks. Sourav, son of former world champion and national coach Manoj Kothari, also had two runs of over 100 but failed to keep pace with India’s poster boy of cue sports.



Results: Final: Pankaj Advani (Ind) bt Peter Gilchrist (Sin) 6-2 (23-151 (145), 151 (127)-16, 116-150, 151 (108)-104), 150 (150)-0, 151 (118)-58, 150-04, 150 (77)-145 (104)).

Semifinals: Pankaj Advani (Ind) bt Sourav Kothari (Ind) 5-2: (104 (63)-150 (91), 150 (135)-103 (80), 0-150 (139), 150 (95, 55)-28, 150 (151)-0, 150 (148)-48, 150 (138)-143 (119)); Peter Gilchrist (Sin) bt Robert Hall (Eng) 5-3 (104-150 (70, 73), 150 (99)-118 (59), 150 (97)-136 (93), 43-150 (63), 150 (70, 81)-96 (60), 150 (98)-0, 75 (73)-150 (96), 150 (144)-123 (120)).
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(Published 24 October 2014, 18:08 IST)

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