Sethi fights back, Advani shows sublime form to top group

PUNE - Billiards maestro Geet Sethi was back to winnings ways with two back-to-back victories while Pankaj Advani continued his impressive run to enter the pre-quarters in the time-format of International Billiards and Snooker Championship here Saturday.

Sethi, who struggled to find his rhythm Friday, first defeated Irishman Aidan Murray 102-105, 150-59, 151-2, 152-27 and then thrashed Korea’s Min Hu Baek 152-22, 151-35, 151-42 in straight frames to give him a chance of entering the next round.

Meanwhile, nine-time world champion Mike Russell and defending champion Pankaj Advani continued their impressive show by winning their remaining league matches to top their respective groups.

Russell did find some resistance from 2007 champion Rupesh Shah, but eventually prevailed over in a match that stretched to five frames. Pankaj had two Indians to negotiate, but the Bangalore boy allowed no room to either Bhaskar Balachandra or Alok Kumar.

Bhaskar did take one frame out of Pankaj, but the champion stayed on course to score 150-55, 151-64, 83-150, 150-145 win.

Playing against Alok Kumar, Pankaj showed immense control over the roll of the green baize as he crafted out 150-46, 151-73, 152-29 victory.

The other Indians who were through to the pre-quarterfinals were Rupesh Shah, Sourav Kothari, Ashok Shandilya, Dhruv Sitwala, Bhaskar and Alok Kumar.