<p>Sourav Kothari of ONGC overcame India junior No.1 Laxman Rawat of Delhi 6-2 to win the Shyam Shroff Memorial All India Open Invitation Snooker Tournament title, sponsored by United Phosphorus, at the Khar Gymkhana Saturday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Kothari romped to a 83-33, 66-17, 76-1, 31-88, 96-8, 113-8, 56-58, 56-55 victory as he snatched his second title in four championship rounds, after earlier defeating double Asian champion Yasin Merchant in the Bombay Gymkhana ‘Strokes’ Invitational final in April.<br /><br />Kothari enhanced his reputation with this victory as he fired breaks of 75 in the third frame, 54 in the fifth and a 65 in the sixth reflecting consistency and impressive potting skills.<br /><br />Kothari raced to a 5-1 lead in the best-of-11 frames final with Rawat winning the third frame with a break of 62. Rawat snatched the crucial seventh frame in a tight finish that raised hopes of a late fightback. Trailing 0-39 in the frame Rawat fired a significant break of 46 before falling behind at 51-56 that included a long blue pot.<br /><br />Rawat once again raised visions of changing the script when he almost snatched the eighth frame. But he missed the black that rested a little away from the top cushion and rattled the top right jaw. Trailing 49-55, Kothari sensed victory immediately to deny Rawat his maiden major championship crown.<br /><br />Final result: Sourav Kothari (ONGC) bt Laxman Rawat (ONGC) 83-33, 66-17, 76(75)-1, 31-88(62), 96(54)-8, 113(65)-8, 56-58(46), 56-55.<br /></p>
<p>Sourav Kothari of ONGC overcame India junior No.1 Laxman Rawat of Delhi 6-2 to win the Shyam Shroff Memorial All India Open Invitation Snooker Tournament title, sponsored by United Phosphorus, at the Khar Gymkhana Saturday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Kothari romped to a 83-33, 66-17, 76-1, 31-88, 96-8, 113-8, 56-58, 56-55 victory as he snatched his second title in four championship rounds, after earlier defeating double Asian champion Yasin Merchant in the Bombay Gymkhana ‘Strokes’ Invitational final in April.<br /><br />Kothari enhanced his reputation with this victory as he fired breaks of 75 in the third frame, 54 in the fifth and a 65 in the sixth reflecting consistency and impressive potting skills.<br /><br />Kothari raced to a 5-1 lead in the best-of-11 frames final with Rawat winning the third frame with a break of 62. Rawat snatched the crucial seventh frame in a tight finish that raised hopes of a late fightback. Trailing 0-39 in the frame Rawat fired a significant break of 46 before falling behind at 51-56 that included a long blue pot.<br /><br />Rawat once again raised visions of changing the script when he almost snatched the eighth frame. But he missed the black that rested a little away from the top cushion and rattled the top right jaw. Trailing 49-55, Kothari sensed victory immediately to deny Rawat his maiden major championship crown.<br /><br />Final result: Sourav Kothari (ONGC) bt Laxman Rawat (ONGC) 83-33, 66-17, 76(75)-1, 31-88(62), 96(54)-8, 113(65)-8, 56-58(46), 56-55.<br /></p>