Chennai, Jul 30: World champion Pankaj Advani (PSPB) today won his fifth national billiards title with a commanding 5-1 win over Balachandra Bhaskar of Bangalore here.
Bhaskar, who has been in the national scene for over 15 years and on his maiden national final, remained a spectator from his chair for larger period of the match as 26-year-old Advani had his measure of comfort after losing the first frame.
Earlier, Advani, who has won four Asian titles besides two gold medals in Asian Games, overwhelmed nine time world champion Geet Sethi of Gujarat 150-114 150-12 151-105 150-104 in the semifinal, while 39-year-old Bhaskar was at his best in progressing to the final with a 152-117 151-130 151-79 36-151 151-60 over Dhruv Sitwala (PSPB).
However, Bhaskar could not face up to the challenges of Advani, a seven times world champion. Advani, on his part brought innovations to pot at will with regular frequency. On the other hand, Bhaskar was seen missing even easy shots.
Bhaskar's lone good patch was in the first frame when he came up with an unfinished 119 but once Advani found his rhythm and implemented his game plan while his senior state mate was languishing in the chair.
Advani's remarkable abilities with swift decisions on the table helped him record unfinished breaks of 147 107 150 and 147 in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth frames to close up the match in quick time. Fifth and sixth frames were noteworthy as the enterprising Advani exhibited his control of playing the Postman's knock from top of the table game.
In the third place match, Geet Sethi beat Dhruv Sitwala 151-50 10-150 151-07.
Talking about his loss to Advani, 50-year-old Geet Sethi said, “My lacklustre performance had much to do with rather tepid contest. Nothing went right for me and Pankaj, as usual, played well.” PTI
