Yangon (Myanmar): Multiple-time World and Asian champion Pankaj Advani stayed on course to defend his title as he sailed into the final of the 17th Asian Billiards Championship on Friday.


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Advani produced superlative performances in the quarterfinal and semifinal stages as he outclassed local favourite Aung Htay 5-1 and compatriot Dhvaj Haria 5-1 respectively to reach the final.


The last-eight match consisted of the one-hundred breaks, a 91 and an 86 as Advani entered the semifinal to confirm India a medal. Htay scored a century in the solitary frame he won.


In the evening session, it was a repeat of this year's Indian National Billiards final with Advani taking on Gujarat's Dhvaj, who overcame Singapore's Peter Gilchrist with a 5-0 triumph.


In the one-sided tie, Dhvaj had breaks of 50 and 80, while Pankaj had runs of 59, 66, 99 and 100 to close out the match 5-1.


In what is going to be an all-Indian final, Pankaj awaits the winner of the B Bhaskar-Rupesh Shah match.


In the ladies snooker event, Keerath Bhandaal ended her Asian campaign with a bronze after going down 0-3 to Siripaporn Nuanthakhamjan of Thailand.


In the other semifinal, India's only hope Amee Kamani will battle it out with Ka Ka Wan of Hong Kong for a place in the final.