New Delhi: Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani`s hopes of winning the IBSF World Snooker title for the second time in his career came crashing down today after he failed to overcome a spirited challenge from Dechawat Pomajaeng of Thailand in the final of the event in Damascus, Syria.
Advani, who won the billiards singles gold in Asian Games
last month, failed to lift the coveted trophy that he last won
in 2003 in China, after he lost 7-10 in the best-of-19 frames
final, divided into two sessions.
Advani lost 37-67, 71-47, 69-35, 138-00, 12-85, 15-68,
13-63, 27-68, 57-56, 61-15, 15-71, 35-75, 32-58, 71-25, 62-33,
00-130, 08-92.
In the first session of the final, the Thai cueist led
5-4 and in the second, he stretched his lead to 10-7 to seal
the issue in his favour beyond doubt.
The seven times world champion Advani fought like a
terrier to overcome severe pressure from the Thai opponent but
in the end his efforts proved short of adding another
milestone to his already illustrious career.
The final was a gruelling affair as Dechawat won the
first frame with ease but Advani bounced back to draw even in
the second. He then went on to win the next two frames,
constructing a century break of 138 in the fourth.
The Thai opponent then reigned supreme on the green baize
and won next four frames, reducing Advani to a mere spectator. The Indian then clawed his way back, winning the 9th and
10th frame to lock the issue at 5-5.
From there on, the Thai opponent raised the level of his
game and added another three to his name, making it tough for
Advani to make a comeback.
Under pressure, Advani wilted in the end and only managed
to win one more frame before Dechawat sealed the issue with a
century break of 130 in the 16th and 92 in the 17th frame.
Meanwhile, in the 3rd-4th placing match, Rodney Goggins
of Ireland defeated Noppadol Sangnil of Thailand 4-2.
Advani had defeated Goggins 7-4 in the first semi-final
of the event yesterday, while Dechawat ended the challenge of
Sangnil 7-5 in a keenly contested other last-four match.
The 25-year-old Bangalorean had topped Group E by winning
all six matches and then got the better of Mohammed Joaker of
the UAE 5-4 in the round of 32 match.
In the quarterfinal, he had crushed Moh Keen Hoo of
Malaysia 6-1 in the best-of-11 frame contest.
In the women`s event, Ng On Yee of Hong Kong beat
countrymate Jaique Ip Wan 5-0 in the best-of-9 frames final.
Phil Williams of Wales emerged victorious in the Masters
category, defeating Chuchart T of Thailand 6-4 in the
best-of-11 frames final.
PTI