Asian Billiards: Advani remains on course

Advani is evidently not in full billiards mode yet after having to switch from snooker post his victory in the inaugural Asian Snooker Tour in Bengaluru last week.

Cueist Pankaj Advani plays against Iran’s Ehsan Heydari in the finals of Asian Snooker Tour 2019 in Bengaluru last week. (FILE IMAGE)

The only Indian to get past the quarterfinal stage, defending champion Pankaj Advani remained on course to hold on to his Asian Billiards title on Wednesday.

Advani is evidently not in full billiards mode yet after having to switch from snooker post his victory in the inaugural Asian Snooker Tour in Bengaluru last week.

Dhruv Sitwala, Sourav Kothari and Dhvaj Haria lost their quarterfinal ties.

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Advani overcame Indian junior champion Shrikrishna Suryanarayanan 5-2 to march into the semifinals and confirm India’s only medal in this edition of Asian Billiards.

He faces former champion Praput Chaithanasakun of Thailand in last-four stages while the other half sees two Myanmar cueists - Nay Thway Oo and Chit Ko Ko - fight it out for a spot in the final.

Advani defeated Shrikrishna Suryanarayanan 5-2: 102(93)-11, 51-100, 102(87)-64(56), 100(51)-0, 69-100, 100(99)-42, 103(71)-25.