Top snooker players, Pankaj Advani and Manan Chandra, faced each other yet again at the National Billiards and Snooker Championship Final. Pankaj won the 2007 final while Chandra won the 2006 final, so after this match, one player will come out on top.

Before they advanced, both had to do well in the semi-finals. Advani beat Sourav Kothari 5-2 in the semi-finals which allowed him to advance to the finals. Kothari was leading 2-1 when Advani moved in and took the match. Chandra won his match against Brijesh Damani 5-3. Damini lead the match up 2-1 but Chandra was just warming up and took the win to move on to the finals.

Chandra did struggle somewhat compared to the previous day’s game play. When asked what the hindrance was, Chandra commented that he must have been “trying a little hard to recapture yesterday’s form.”

During the final, Advani made a break of 67 while Chandra replied with a 54 break. After that though, Advani went on a spree and took the win with a score of 6-1. Advani commented: “I didn’t expect to win so easily as Manan was playing very well throughout the tournament. I was also a little lucky as he did have some chances in a couple of frames but did not take his
opportunities.”

Advani has three National Snooker titles as of now. His first came in 2003 and his second was in 2007. He also commented that Chandra and his competitors in the semi-finals are ones to watch out for in the future.


- 2008-12-02