Ireland’s Judge beat former World No. 3 Manan Chandra of India 5-0, India’s Advani down Malaysia’s Moh 5-3

It was a hectic day’s of action for the men at the IBSF World Snooker Championship, but Michael Judge made it look like a stroll in the park.
The Irishman had a intriguing last-32 stage match against former World Champion Mohamed Asif of Pakistan. But Judge won a tricky encounter 5-3 to seal his place in the pre-quarters.
A few hours later, Judge was the first to seal his spot in the quarter-finals at the Al Sadd Indoor hall as he blanked former World No.3 Manan Chandra of India 5-0.
Against Asif, Judge got off to a great start to take a 3-1 lead. The 41-year-old crafted two breaks of 63 and 66 in the procession to mount some serious pressure on Asif. But the experienced Asif retaliated, winning two frames in a row.
The 2012 world champion made a break of 60 in the sixth frame, but failed to take advantage and take the lead. Judge jumped on the opportunity and pocketed the next two frames to close out the match.
In the pre-quaters, Judge was in a cruise mode against Chandra. The Irishman did not drop a single frame as he dominated each on of them, with some fine precision and clear potting.
In fact, Judge never gave an opening to Chandra, who struggled for momentum.
Earlier though, Chandra was in fine form as he defeated the 16-year-old sensation Yuan Sijun of China. The last-32 encounter was an exciting one.
Sijun, who is tipped for bigger things, dominated the initial rounds with the first frame win on black ball and later two breaks of 70 and 81 to take up 3-1 lead.
But the 35-year-old Chandra tightened his game, to win the fifth frame by a very close 58-40 margin to narrow down the deficit. With young Sijun under pressure, Chandra took the sixth and seventh frame to pocket the match 5-3.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Bilal kept Pakistan’s hopes alive, with a win over Alexander Ursenbacher of Switzerland 5-3 in the pre-quarters. In the morning session, Bilal had beaten Thomas Dowling of Ireland 5-3.
Defending champion Pankaj Advani of India endured an uncharacteristically a difficult day. The  15-time World champion in snooker and billiards had a safe passage in the tournament so far, but he was tested yesterday.
In the last-32, Advani was trailing 2-3 to Babar Masih of Pakistan, before prevailing 5-3. However, it was the night’s pre-quarters against Malaysia’s Keen Hoo Moh, which pushed Advani to the limit.
Advani lost the first frame, but won the next two with a breaks of 61 and 126. But Moh was upto the task as he won the fourth and fifth frame for a 3-2 lead.
However, Advani controlled his nerves to pocket the next three frames and clinch the match 5-3. The Indian will face Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon of Thailand in the quarters today.
In the women’s semi-final, Amee Kamani of India will take on Waratthanun Sukritthanes of Thailand today.
In their quarter-final matches yesterday, Kamani beat her compatriot Chitra Magimairajan 4-1, after losing the first frame, while Sukritthanes also beat her countrywoman, teenager Siripaporn Nuanthakhamjan 4-1.
Belgium’s Wendy Jans also sealed her spot in the semis, with a 4-1 win over Ng On Yee of Hong Kong. Jans will next meet Thailand’s Nutcharat Wongharuthai, who defeated Australia’s Jessica Woods 4-2.
The men’s quarter and semi-finals and women’s semis will be played today at the Al Sadd indoor hall. Both the finals are scheduled for tomorrow.
 
IBSF new office bearers elected
Meanwhile, at their Annual General Assembly, the International Billiards and Snooker Federation elected the new executive members.
As reported by Gulf Times earlier, Qatar’s Mubarak Hamad al-Khayareen was elected unopposed as the new president of the IBSF. Al-Khayareen is a board member of the IBSF and also heads the Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports. He is also the Executive Director of the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation.
There was no nomination for the post of treasurer as well, with Michael Alkhoury of Syria getting re-elected.
It was decided at the AGM, that the new office bearers will serve a four-year term. While, Malta was announced as the host for the 2017 World Snooker Championship for Men, Women and Masters.
The 2017 World Team and 6Reds will continue at Egypt and for the 2017 IBSF World Under-18 and Under-21 Snooker Championship, the board will decide between Brazil and China as the next host.

ISBF office bearers
Mubarak Hamad al-Khayareen (President); Jim Leacy (Vice President); Mohamed El Kammah (General Secretary); Michael Alkhoury (Treasurer); Barrie Jones and Maxime Cassis, being the regional presidents, as board members.