Bhaskar storms into title round

Karnataka’s B Bhaskar remained on course for his maiden national title, storming into the final of the 80th Senior Billiards Championship here on Friday.

The 41-year-old, who has finished runner-up four times in his career including in the last edition to Pankaj Advani, eased past Railways’ K Venkatesham 4-1 at the Jiwaji University hall.

In the title showdown on Saturday, Bhaskar will lock horns with five-time National champion Alok Kumar, who defeated reigning World billiards champion Rupesh Shah 4-2.

Results: B Bhaskar (Kar) bt K Venkatesham (Rly) 4-1 (150-60, 114-151, 150-23, 150 (94)-86, 150 (67)-65); Alok Kumar (PSPB) bt Rupesh Shah (PSPB) 4-2 (150 (148)-5, 123 (123)-150 (99), 151 (71)-7, 153 (153)-0, 11-150 (55, 62), 151 (112)-12). Fifth-place play-off: Dhvaj Haria (Guj) bt Rafath Habib (Rly) 2-1 (67-101, 100-76, 100-26); Manish Jain (WB) bt Ashok Shandilya (Rly) 2-0 (101-61, 102-00). Seventh-place play-off: Ashok Shandilya (Rly) bt Rafath Habib (Rly) 2-0 (101 (52)-28, 102-51).