Pankaj Advani in World Snooker quarters

NEW DELHI - India’s Pankaj Advani defeated Mohammad Rais Sen Zahi of Afghanistan 5-2 to move into the quarterfinals of the World Snooker championships in Damascus, Syria.

Advani, who won the billiards singles gold in Asian Games, won 60-40, 110 (109)-15, 114(114)-0, 73-69, 0-73, 41-68, 68-21.

Earlier, Advani, who topped his group, winning all the seven matches, got the better of Mohammed Joker of the UAE 5-4 in his first encounter of the knock-out stage..

Advani will next take on Malaysian Moh Keen Hoo.

In the women’s draw, India’s Vidya Pillai beat compatriot Chitra Magimairaj 4-0 to move into the semifinal where she faces Ng On Yee, who defeated another Indian Anuja Chandra 4-2 in the quarterfinals.