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| Monday, 28 February 2005 |
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Advani wins first major cue title Bernard Perera Reporting from Bombay Pune, Sunday - India's young Pankraj Advani won his first major title on Saturday night when he clinched the 4th Asian Billiards Championship defeating Thailand's C. Praput five sets to nil. Pankraj made a very slow start scoring only 8 points, while Praput made a break of 57 to stun the opponent. He had only two points in his next visit. Praput after making seven more points blundered with a miscue from the far end of the table. This gave the opportunity for the Indian to capitalise and he took the set with an unfinished 90 point break to lead 1-0. Pankraj got back to form and never looked back and went on to win the next set very comfortably 100 points to 32 in only two visits. The third and fourth sets saw a clear domination by Pankraj. These two sets he won without giving away a single point to his opponent Praput. Praput tried to come back to the game in the fifth round scoring a total of 10 points while the Indian had 26. Praput during his next turn speedily reached 41 and once again a miscue playing top table made room for Pankraj to come to the table. Pankraj taking advantage of this smoothly and playing accurately clinched the set to seal his victory in the 4th Asian Billiard Championship. Pankraj speaking to 'Daily News' said that Praput is a good player but failed to produce the good form he had right throughout the series. I too was not in good touch at the start of the first set. After the second visit which brought in 90 points for me helped me to gain confidence. I was playing my best from there onwards-said young champion. This is my first major title. I look forward to win the world title next month in Malta. This victory has given me lof of confidence, added Pankraj. Praput admitted that he did not play the best game on this day. Pankraj though young played like a veteran. He is good at playing anything difficult to get to the game", said the Thai. The novel speed Billiard Championship introduced for the first time here was won by India's No. 3 Geeth Sethi while the runner-up being the new Asian champion Pankraj Advani. President of the Pune Young Cricketers Hindu Gymnastics Club D. C. Agashi was the chief guest on the occasion and gave away the awards to winners. |
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