JOIN US Indian ace Pankaj Advani set up a semifinal showdown with compatriot Sourav Kothari after overcoming old rival Alok Kumar in the IBSF World Billiards Championship (points format) in Leeds, United Kingdom, on Thursday.
Advani, a nine-time world champion, faced a stiff test from Alok in his quarterfinal match. The 29-year-old Bangalorean, however, summoned all his experience in grinding out a hard-fought 4-0 (150 (96)-92, 150 (104)-149, 150 (114)-24, 150 (57)-147 (62, 57) win to march into another world championship semifinal.
Sourav, on the other hand, drubbed Ian Williamson 4-0 (150 (104)-61, 150-112 (62), 150 (68, 82)-19, 150 (104, 48)-3), ensuring at least one Indian will be there in the title round.Dhruv Sitwala, however, crashed out after losing 2-4 to Robert Hall whiel favourite Peter Gilchrist was too good in his 4-0 defeat of Matthew Bolton.
Results: Quarterfinals: Sourav Kothari bt Ian Williamson 4-0 (150 (104)-61, 150-112 (62), 150 (68, 82)-19, 150 (104, 48)-3); Pankaj Advani bt Alok Kumar 4-0 (150 (96)-92, 150 (104)-149, 150 (114)-24, 150 (57)-147 (62, 57); Robert Hall bt Dhruv Sitwala 4-2 (150 (120)-106, 107-150, 150 (57)-143 (74), 150 (107)-59, 101-150 (89, 51), 150 (135)-61 (56); Peter Gilchrist bt Matthew Bolton 4-0 (150 (72)-22, 150 (95)-134 (92), 150 (90)-118 (98), 150 (56, 67)-141 (97).