Varsha storms into last 24; Vidya shines

 Varsha Sanjeev sto-rmed into the last-24 stage of the IBSF World Snooker Championships here after posting her fourth win of Group F.

The teenager, who has been in impressive form of late, brushed aside Maria Buckaraska of Ukraine 3-0 (65-47, 48-2, 53-40) to wrap up her group campaign in style.

With four wins from five outings, Varsha, thus, easily advanced to the knock-out rounds, behind pool winner Ng On Yee.

Another Indian who is on the verge of booking her knockout berth is national champion Vidya Pillai, who has posted five wins from as many games in Group B. She has one league game left.

Among the men, Manan Chandra continued to sparkle, notching up fourth straight victory in Group H.

Somewhat sloppy after winning the opening frame, Chandra regained his composure to defeat Belgium’s Tomaz Skalski 4-2.

Results (Indians only): Manan Chandra bt Tomaz Skalski (Bel) 4-2 (75-44, 0-88, 46-56, 80-17, 82-14, 51-7); Shahbaaz Adil Khan lt Brenden O’Donoghue (Ire) 4-2 (50-72, 68-16, 6-88, 25-56, 61-33, 15-71); Brijesh Damani lt Roman Dietzel (Ger) 4-2 (41-70, 82-5, 69-64, 49-61, 44-69, 31-65).

Women: Chitra Magimairaj bt Yu Ching (HK) 3-1 (51-63, 80-58, 69-20, 74-25); Neena Praveen bt Irina Gorbataya (Rus) 3-1 (55-13, 56-43, 39-70, 81-58); Varshaa Sanjeev bt Maria Buckaraska (Ukr) 3-0 (65-47, 48-2, 53-40).

Masters: Nigel Lazer lt Murat Ayas 3-1 (24-75, 48-62, 55-33, 53-60); SA Saleem lt to Ian Sergeant (Wal) 3-2 (74-51, 65-27, 62-63, 97-0, 97-0).