India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani efficiently defended his National Billiards title in Bhopal, a part of a candy story of how two pals performed in opposition to one another within the title contest.
Advani defeated his ‘close friend’ Dhruv Sitwala 5-2 in a high-quality best-of-nine-frames last.
After dropping the primary body, Advani responded with breaks of 56 & 46 to revive parity. Sitwala displayed wonderful in-offs, pots and cannons once more to pocket the third body with a sizeable break of 84. He was on the right track to even wrest the fourth after an exquisite effort of 101. But a expensive lapse gave an opportunity to Pankaj, who chalked up a break of 127 to attract degree as soon as once more.
Thereafter, Pankaj struck a purple patch, cajoling and nursing the balls on the high of the desk to craft two unfinished breaks of 150 within the fifth and sixth frames to take a 4-2 lead. Despite a break of 134, Sitwala couldn’t maintain Advani again because the latter compiled an unfinished break of 148 to take the title.
NATIONAL BILLARDS CHAMPIONSHIP🎱@PankajAdvani247 defends his National title,wins it for eleventh time!
Defeated his greatest buddy & PSPB mate Dhruv Sitwala 5-2 within the finals.24-time World Champion Pankaj was 1-2 down however got here again from there to clinch the title👏 pic.twitter.com/lSVJYC3HnF
— SPORTS ARENA🇮🇳 (@SportsArena1234) December 21, 2021
After the match, Advani admitted that it was not simple to play in opposition to one’s ‘best friend’ within the last of a serious occasion. “It is very difficult facing your buddy in a big final. Dhruv is an excellent player and an even better human being. We keep it real even before facing off in a match! Our results have never come in the way of our close friendship,” Pankaj informed indianexpress.com after claiming his thirty fifth title.
“I remember losing to Dhruv in the Asian Billiards Championship final in 2015. That was his first big win and I’m sure he’ll have a lot more success on the world stage,” he added.
National Billiards Champion🏆😄Never simple to play in opposition to your greatest buddy in a giant match.Dhruv Sitwala was distinctive all through the event.Thrilled to win this title after 2 disappointing snooker occasions. Looking ahead to a while off the inexperienced baize and chill slightly pic.twitter.com/5bbxwVUOD3
— Pankaj Advani (@PankajAdvani247) December 21, 2021
Advani, nevertheless, confronted a shock exit from the National Snooker competitors, getting knocked out within the final 16 of the Men’s 6-Red snooker occasion. The Billiards title a number of weeks later comes as redemption for the 36-year- outdated cueist.
“Every loss puts a dent in your confidence, you begin to doubt yourself and question your own ability. At the same time, you want to come back stronger, shed the baggage quickly, dust yourself off and move on. The snooker disappointment made me even more hungry for the National Billiards Title,” he stated.
The veteran is now again in Bangalore together with his household. “Time to unwind and celebrate the festive season with my loved ones. Looking forward to some time off the green baize for now,” he stated, with the subsequent huge occasion, the World Snooker Championship 2022, now doubtful because of the pandemic.
“2021 has been amazing for me as I have won a few national-level events and two international titles in Doha, which was unexpected! I’m thrilled to end it on a high note by lifting the National Billiards trophy,” Advani added.
