Press Trust of India
Hurghada (Egypt), Nov 20: Gunning for his 15th World title, ace cueist Pankaj Advani entered the semifinals of the IBSF World Snooker Championship to assure India of a medal here Friday.
Advani, who now remains the only Indian in the fray in the men’s category, outplayed Maltese Alex Borg 6-0 to better his last year’s performance when he went down to Yan Bingtao of China in the quarterfinals at his hometown, Bangalore.
In the best of 11 frame battle, Advani played consistently to eke out a 70-62, 112-0 (57), 107(90)-14, 83(50)-46, 114 (108)-12, 64-27. He had one century break which he got in the fifth frame.
“Would have preferred a difficult match though, Advani stated after his match. “It would have prepared me well for the tough battles ahead.”
India’s poster boy of cue sports will now meet the winner of the contest between Greg Kasey of Ireland and Lukas Kleckers of Germany.
In the Masters’ category, quarterfinalist Rafath Habib failed to reach the medal round as he could not get past Jason Peplow of Malta and lost 6-4.
In the women’s draw, Amee Kamani, bronze medallist at the IBSF Ladies world 6 red Snooker, which was played in Karachi this year, got the better of compatriot Chitra Magimairaj 4-3 to enter the semifinals.
