Advani to clash with Lucky in title round

The three-time snooker champion, who is the middle of a title slump having surrendered his IBSF World Billiards (Point and Time formats) crowns as well the National Billiards title in the last 30 days, showed his intent to retain the snooker title with a 5-1 (136-1, 89-30, 57-69, 136-0, 77-2, 68-63) drubbing of Chawla in a semifinal clash.

Advani will lock horns with Lucky Vatnani, who beat Aditya Mehta 5-1 (59-16, 63-42, 59-16, 5-80, 70-61, 76-63), in the final on Monday.The 25-year-old Advani kick-started the semifinal contest by sounding a huge warning to his opponent. In just under 12 minutes, the Bangalorean conjured a break of  136 -- the tournament’s highest and his third century break --  to pocket the opening frame.

Breaks of 42 and 43 helped him take a 2-0 lead before Chawla pulled one back after winning a tricky third. However, any hopes of a Chawla fightback were quickly dashed when Advani made a 74-point break for a 3-1 lead before running away to victory.The last-16 and quarterfinal clashes took place on Saturday.

Results (both semifinals): Pankaj Advani bt Kamal Chawla 5-1 (136 (136)-1, 89 (42, 43)-30, 57-69, 136 (47, 74)-0, 77 (74)-2, 68 (57)-63 (62)); Lucky Vatnani bt Aditya Mehta 5-1 (59-16, 63-42, 59 (52)-16, 5-80 (67), 70 (40)-61 (53), 76 (37)-63 (57)).