Billiards: Alok, Shandilya enter semis

National champion Alok Kumar and fellow-Indian Ashok Shandilya entered the points format semi-finals of the World professional billiards championship on Tuesday with contrasting victories.

Leeds: National champion Alok Kumar and fellow-Indian Ashok Shandilya entered the points format semi-finals of the World professional billiards championship here on Tuesday with contrasting victories.

Alok Kumar overcame Nalin Patel (England) 1000-490, aided by three century breaks while Shandilya edged out compatriot Sourav Kothari 1000-989 in a nail-biting match. In the semi-finals that will be played on a 1250-up basis, Alok Kumar takes on Singapore`s Peter Gilchrist who overcame Rupesh Shah 1000-853, while Shandilya goes up against Englishman David Causier who defeated Balachandra Bhaskar 1000-636. Shandilya, a former World champion, rode his luck and experience to see off Kothari`s late challenge as the pair was tied at 989. After a few blank visits, Shandilya posted breaks of 5, 5 and 2 to scramble to victory. Kothari, who had leveled after a break of 45, had his chances, but could not cash in on them.