After six long hours, it was the talented Chinese teen Lv Haotian who walked away with the Asian Snooker Championship title at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall yesterday.
Four-time world snooker and 12-time billiards champion Pankaj Advani of India had never been able to lay his hands on the continental trophy, and the search continued after the upcoming Chinese player handed him a 6-3 (95-32, 31-75, 69-43, 65-24, 0-78, 102-6, 48-61, 59-48, 71-69) loss.
This was the first Asian title for Haotian and the effort won him US $7,000 besides the trophy. Advani received US $3,500 and the runners-up trophy.
Beijing-resident Haotian was palpably delighted.
“I am delighted to have won the tournament against such a seasoned and champion opponent,” he said through an interpreter.
Coming into the Asian tournament, the teenager’s biggest win was the under-21 title back home, but that changed when he showed his capabilities yesterday, including three big breaks -- 102 (6th frame), 65 (1st frame) and 57 (4th frame).
For his part, Advani was surprised at his loss of luck in Asian championships.
“Sometimes things are not destined to happen. But that’s okay because it keeps me motivated to go for something that hasn’t gone my way,” the Indian said after the win.
“In world championships, I have won from some hopeless positions.
“So, I’d rather win the worlds and not win the Asian snooker than win the Asian snooker once or twice and lose four or five world championships of the IBSF billiards or IBSF world snooker or the six red.”
Advani spoke highly of Haotian, saying, “He reminded me of my younger days.”
“I thought he played really well and he got away with a lot of aggressive shots. When you get a bit older and you understand the game more, you tend to rationalise a bit more. I won’t say that Haotian wasn’t sensible, but what is aggressive for me, would not be insensible for him.
“He’s got a good eye. I thought I would score over him in safety, but that too didn’t go my way, and I played some poor safety shots. I didn’t obviously play my best today, but he was definitely the better player on the day.”