World snooker: Merchant advances to knock-out stage

HYDERABAD - Yasin Merchant notched the tournament’s highest break of 134 en route to the knock-out round of the ONGC-IBSF World snooker championship here Thursday along with a clutch of Indians, including Pankaj Advani and Geet Sethi.

Merchant, the former Asian and National champion, posted the 134 in the first frame against Pakistan’s Mohammed Asif who, despite a brave fight, could not stop the Indian from posting a 4-1 win in the concluding league match. Asif, with three wins, however, qualified for the knock-out rounds.

The century break notwithstanding, Merchant, the 42-year old from Mumbai, had to bring into play his vast experience to overcome the 27-year old Asif who is playing in his first World championship. The Pakistani had his chances, but missed a few sitters that proved costly.

In the first frame, after Asif broke the bunch, Merchant began with a long red and went on to compile a century that hinged on the last two reds that were near the side cushion. He sliced the 14th red into the top corner pocket and then cleared the table.

Meanwhile, Advani, who has posted three century breaks so far, raced to a 4-1 win against compatriot Sandeep Gulati to top his group with a clean record.

Yuttapop Pakpoj of Thailand made a 118 break on way to routing India’s MS Arun 4-0 to head group R with an all-win record after four matches and advance to the knock-out round.

In the women’s category, Vidya Pillai topped her group by winning all her five matches. In her last league outing, Vidya outplayed Kathy Howden of Australia 3-0, while fellow-Indian Chitra Magimairajan received a walk-over from Bahrain’s Nahla Sunni who went down with a stomach upset and did not turn up for the match.

Speaking to IANS, Nahla said she was down with an upset stomach after eating pizza last night. “I have submitted a medical certificate and also apologised to my opponent for not turning up for the match,” she said.

Chitra, with four wins, however, made it to the knock-out round, the draw for which is to be made around 10 tonight, according to an official announcement.

“I was hoping to get some valuable match practice today ahead of the knock-out round, but the situation is not in my control,” said the Bangalore-based Chitra.

In the Masters section, seven Indians, led by Sethi, qualified for the knock-out round. The others were: BV Srinivasa Murthy, SA Saleem, K Venkatesham, K Ranjan, Devendra Joshi and H Kamaraj.