<p> Indian cueist Pankaj Advani on Sunday created history by becoming the first player in the world to win world titles in the long and shorter formats of both billiards and snooker after pocketing the IBSF World 6-red Snooker Championship here.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Advani, India’s poster boy of cue sports, defeated Kacper Flilpiak of Poland in the final that lasted barely an hour to win his maiden 6-Red world title and ninth overall.<br /><br />Advani, who has won seven world titles in billiards and one in snooker, added a new kind of world title to his overflowing cabinet of trophies.<br /><br />He won both World snooker titles on debut -- the IBSF World Snooker Championship in China and this one, the IBSF 6-Red World Snooker Championship in Egypt.<br /><br />This win takes Advani to highest tally of world titles by any Indian cueist in the Open (men’s) category.<br /><br />After a strong start with the aid of two 30 breaks, Pankaj went 2-0 up before the Pole clawed one back. The Indian then found himself in a spot of bother as his worthy opponent raced to a lead of 32 points with only the colours, 27 points, left on the table.<br /><br />Using his billiards prowess and knowledge, the 28-year old Bangalorean placed two snookers to gain nine points from his opponent in fouls before completing the frame with a brilliant clearance and snatching the Pole’s opportunity to level the match. From 3-1 up, it was the Pankaj show all the way. <br /><br />“This is a dream. I actually wasn’t expecting anything from this championship. For the last two months, I’ve been playing quite a bit of billiards, so to come into a world snooker championship and win it is simply unreal,” an elated Advani said after his win.<br /></p>
<p> Indian cueist Pankaj Advani on Sunday created history by becoming the first player in the world to win world titles in the long and shorter formats of both billiards and snooker after pocketing the IBSF World 6-red Snooker Championship here.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Advani, India’s poster boy of cue sports, defeated Kacper Flilpiak of Poland in the final that lasted barely an hour to win his maiden 6-Red world title and ninth overall.<br /><br />Advani, who has won seven world titles in billiards and one in snooker, added a new kind of world title to his overflowing cabinet of trophies.<br /><br />He won both World snooker titles on debut -- the IBSF World Snooker Championship in China and this one, the IBSF 6-Red World Snooker Championship in Egypt.<br /><br />This win takes Advani to highest tally of world titles by any Indian cueist in the Open (men’s) category.<br /><br />After a strong start with the aid of two 30 breaks, Pankaj went 2-0 up before the Pole clawed one back. The Indian then found himself in a spot of bother as his worthy opponent raced to a lead of 32 points with only the colours, 27 points, left on the table.<br /><br />Using his billiards prowess and knowledge, the 28-year old Bangalorean placed two snookers to gain nine points from his opponent in fouls before completing the frame with a brilliant clearance and snatching the Pole’s opportunity to level the match. From 3-1 up, it was the Pankaj show all the way. <br /><br />“This is a dream. I actually wasn’t expecting anything from this championship. For the last two months, I’ve been playing quite a bit of billiards, so to come into a world snooker championship and win it is simply unreal,” an elated Advani said after his win.<br /></p>